More options |

Best Sellers ///

 African American
Latin American
First Nations

Art by Culture ///

African American
African American Index
Latin American
Latin American Index
First Nations
First Nations Index

Quick Ship ///

African American
Latin American
First Nations

Featured Artist: Diane Hardy Waller

Canvas Paper and Stone Gallery introduces Diane Hardy Waller, a visual artist who works in paints, photographs and ceramic arts. A spiritual leader and world traveler, Diane is the featured artist in From Bali With Love, paintings and photography from Bali, which presently hangs in our gallery… We are pleased to share her work with you.

How did you get your start as an artist?

Every child is an artist and so I was. I was encouraged and sent to art classes. I continued drawing and painting until commerce took over. And then even in the midst of a high pressure job, I went back to art school to return to drawing and print making. At some point, I gave up and thought I wasn't doing anything artistic, but I was sewing and decorating which I now see as artist expression. When I moved to NYC a friend led me by the nose to the Art Students' League and it began again.

When I was able to acknowledge the artist within and allowed the creative urge to emerge, I can see how the childhood experiences and the later experimentation led me to where I am. Completely captive to creative expression in photography, painting and pottery.


Temple of Many Roofs
Bali, 2007


Lake Temple
Bali 2007

Who are some of your artistic influences?

Specifically, related to photography, the great ones. Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Helen Dahl Wolfe and personally Katherine Criss and Ernestine Rubin. I have had wonderful mentors who evoked an impulse in me that was something I didn't understand. I was forced by my own inner guidance to push my own limits and see what I could create.


How would you describe your work? What message if any are you sharing with viewers of your work?

My desire is that anyone who sees my work is enthralled. I also like to think they are either amused, healed , transformed, inspired or inspirited. I realize I can't determine a viewer reaction. I only know my own and I show the images that thrill me in some way.


Legong Dancer
Ubud Palace, Bali, 2007


Kecak
Uluwatu Temple, Bali 2007

How does your audience experience your work?

The reactions range from how did you do that to where were you to WOW!!! I think that people have a mixture of emotion and intellectual response. They like it and they want to know more about it or how it occurred.


You travel extensively... Africa, Europe, Asia. What impact has this had on your photography/art?

The people I meet and photograph in these places inspire me. The excitement of what a new place will offer in visual stimulation is euphoric. It is such a gift to move beyond the familiar and see the soul of another place, another culture. The stories that go with the images is part of my journey. I love it and find a grounding in taking photographs of things outside my personal experience.


Boats at Sanur Beach
Sanur Beach, Bali, 2007


Herding Ducks
Klung, Klung, Bali, 2007

What would you like to share about work that you are presently creating? What is inspiring it or what inspires you generally?

I am drawn to things that have a strong graphic element. That is not from education, it is my nature to want to start at the beginning. I have a strong need to know where things are. And then when rooted in the knowing, I can wing it into the unfamiliar and unknown. I think I take people into a comfortable unknown with my art. It makes them ask a question because they don't know for sure. I love it when someone come up to me and says," what is it?" And I show them and they are so happy to see it.


Rice Field
Ubud, Bali, 2007

Where will you be exhibiting in the next few months?

The next show opens August 3 at the Progress Energy Art Gallery. in New Port Richey, Florida. I have nine abstract photographic images in that show plus, abstract sculpture.


Any final words for our readers?

Ask questions and enjoy what you see. It is such a wonderful world for us to use and enjoy, let's not forget to do that.


Vishnu Watching
Garuda Wisnu Kencana, at Jimbaran Hill, Bali, 2007

Diane's work can now be viewed and purchased at Canvas and Stone Gallery in The Bradhurst at Striver's Row, Suite 2N through September 8. Feel free to contact her at www.dianewaller.com and don't forget to check out Diane's work here.

Check out previous articles and Spotlights >> here <<