This boomer got a late start … but a new life
I’m excited to share that the story of how I ended up being a college art student in my 60s is a featured post on BoomerCafé, a digital magazine for baby boomers. (more…)
I dared to take an art challenge
Several months ago, two friends challenged me to post three pieces of my art work every day for five days on Facebook. When the first friend (fellow student Richard Hudon) made the challenge I panicked. I didn’t think I had 15 pieces I’d be willing to share so publically. (more…)
No, Diane. You Are Not a Slacker!
I am such a slacker! At least when it comes to writing new posts for this blog! Thankfully, I’m still fully engaged in the rest of my life. (more…)
My Mother’s Bookcase
My mother, who is 88, has Alzheimer’s disease. What does that have to do with getting an art degree, you might ask. Well … in my Drawing 2 class at USM this spring, we had an assignment that had my mother’s lost memories written all over it.
A new appreciation for charcoal
I have never enjoyed working with charcoal — until now. We had a model in class last week and our assignment was to sketch her using a big stick of charcoal. I thought, “No way am I going to be able to manage this chunk of charcoal. No way!” (more…)
An exhibit by Maine Artist Francine Schrock Opens at House Arts Gallery — Convergence: engaging in the milieu
When I first met Francine Schrock, she had just finished creating a beautiful mural for a memory care facility in Portland. Her grandmother died of Alzheimer’s, so the project had special meaning and she went on to paint more murals in other facilities. You can read about the first mural in my health and wellness blog Catching Health.
This past week, House Arts Gallery in Gray held an opening reception for Francine’s latest body of work. I was delighted to be able to attend. (more…)
For the Love of Art and Family
I said I was going to write some posts over winter break, but I didn’t. I had good intentions. You know where that often leads! (more…)
Learning to Draw Portraits. I Gave Myself a Facelift Because I Could.
My final drawing assignment was a giant self-portrait. 18 x 24-inch. Really, really big. I can’t believe my first semester of art school is already over. Like everything wonderful in life, it sped by like a snap of the fingers. (more…)
It’s a King Tide Party and You’re Invited
In my 2D Design class, we’ve learned about more than creating good design. We also learned something about nature’s designs and the impact we humans can have when we try to intervene.
Our professor, Jan Piribeck, is involved in the Envisioning Change project, which aims to visualize sea level change in Portland and the Casco Bay region over about a 200- year period — from 1900 to 2100.