Diane Davich Craig

 

Contemporary realist, Diane Davich Craig lives with her husband and 2 dogs in Nashville, TN.  One of her favorite subjects to paint are balloon dogs accompanied by cardboard, glitter illusions and stars. The stars represent wishes and dreams to Diane.  The cardboard is a subject that contributes to the feelings of a simple life with no pretentiousness, and an object that all people have in common. The glitter illusions are just fun and celebratory. These compositions are joyful, loving and often based on her favorite pop tunes or space themes.  Neon signs are also a subject she loves to paint.  Diane developed an interest in neon signs growing up in a nearby small town and making frequent family visits to Nashville and seeing the lights of the big city.  Many of her other subjects reflect her need to explore texture, reflection and many times the patina of time worn character.  Having things that are worn by time expresses that these items have been useful and loved and conveys the positive, colorful and uplifting messages that are present in her work.  

 

Among the awards received by Diane are those from “Artist Magazine” - First Place in Still Life, multiple Finalists in Still Life as well as Honorable Mention in landscape, Art Renewal Center finalists in Still Life and Imaginative Realism, “International Artist Magazine” - Finalist in Still Life, “Southwest Art Magazine” - Runner up in Still Life, Women Painters of the Southeast - Outstanding Still Life, National Portrait Society - Finalists in Still Life, as well as the “Nashville Arts Magazine” winner of a solo show at the Custom’s House Museum in Clarksville,TN. Recently Diane was commissioned by Vanderbilt University to paint posthumous portraits of the first female Dean of Vanderbilt as well as one of the first female students of Vanderbilt University. These portraits reside in the Women’s Center on campus. Diane was a featured artist on Tennessee Crossroads, a beloved Tennessee Public Television show. In addition International Artist Magazine published an in-depth  demonstration of her techniques as a detail oriented painter.  

 

Diane has studied in workshops at Ani Art Academy with Anthony Waichulis. Before studying with Anthony Waichulis she took classes with Charles Brindley and art lessons with Lisa Earnst in Nashville. Diane is represented by Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, SC and Lovetts Gallery in Tulsa, OK.

 

Prior to her life as a painter she enjoyed a career as a professional flutist in Nashville. Diane led and performed regularly with the Nashville Chamber Players for many events around the Nashville area.  Some of their more famous clients to perform for were Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Reba McEntire and James Garner.  Among some of her favorite jobs as a flutist have been working as principle flutist for Pavarotti on a television special, playing for Three Dog Night for a PBS television special, backup orchestra for Rod Stewart, Moody Blues, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, and playing Broadway touring company productions when they came to Nashville.

* This statement has been provided directly by the artist in association to their 16^th International ARC Salon entries. This content has not been edited for typos or grammatical errors and has not been vetted for accuracy.