Meet the Artist: Diana Shearon

Passionate, patient, determined - just a few words that describe Diana Shearon as an artist. An Art On The Square artist since day one, Diana brings a steady and calming energy with her lovely style and spirit. “Meet the artist” is our blog series where we ask questions, and the artists answer!

So…here’s an uninspired, “typical” artist question: what are you inspired by?

I have always been inspired by the natural world, particularly the earth and sky. I think growing up in a rural area has had a strong influence on what I respond to as a painter. 

One glance at your wall at Art On The Square confirms this! I see a lot of gorgeous skies and sunsets, green and golden fields with hay bales, cows, etc. Are landscapes your favorite subjects to paint?

Landscapes and also still lifes. I like how you can add things or move things around in landscapes to create a better scene. The same goes for still lifes. Since I set them up from life, they are my own creations. 

Is there a particular teacher or mentor that comes to mind who has had a big influence on your life as an artist? 

Several years ago I was fortunate to have studied with Victoria Harvey, a plein air painter from Cape Cod. She taught at the Arkansas Art Center for over two years while assisting a family member. It was that weekly class time that helped me grow. I do plein air a bit, but not as much now as I did in the past. 

Your works have been highly recognized and won many awards, can you share some career highlights with us? 

Three highlights stand out for me. I won the “Best of Show” award at the Memphis Germantown Art League 2018 with one of my yellow rose florals - plus, it sold! Another was when I won “Best Figurative Work” for “The Adventurers” in 2020 with the Arkansas League of Artists. The painting was of a scene from Bozeman, MT with three young boys in the Axtel River that also now has been sold. Finally, the “Award of Excellence” at the Steamboat Art Museum National Plein Air competition in 2021 for “Pleasant Valley,” a plein air landscape. The plein air competition put my work up against some of the top plein air painters in the country, and to have my work receive the 4th-top award was quite an honor, plus it sold the day after I painted it. 

Award-winning is just one of your many attributes! How would you describe yourself as an artist? 

This is a hard question! I agree with what was said in your introductory paragraph - I would say I am passionate, patient, and determined. I’d also describe myself as curious. I love to learn.

If you could have lunch with one artist from any time in history, who would you pick and why? 

This is also a very hard question, because I actually have two… J.M.W. Turner and Geroge Inness. Both were wonderful painters. Turner’s skies with their textural quality are unsurpassed. Seeing them in London in 2019 made such a huge difference in realizing his work’s depth. Inness’s works of the land and forests are equally as informative when viewed in person. Crystal Bridges has one of my favorite Inness works. His works have a beautiful contemplative mood.

“Contemplative,” I like that. What are some words people have used to describe your work? How did it make you feel? 

“Soothing” is one word I have heard, and I guess maybe I paint because it soothes some inner part of me. 

OK, last question: what’s on your speakers or your earbuds while you work? Any favorite songs? 

I actually listen to podcasts on NPR. My current favorites are This American Life and Fresh Air.

Thank you Diana! YOU are a breath of fresh air!