Diane Leon. Abstract Artist. “Abstraction gives me a sense of freedom”.

Diane Leon an abstract artist on Mishkalo.

Recently One of Diane’s  paintings   “Ephemeral Energy” shown above received a Special Merit Award at an online Juried abstract exhibition by LifeSpaceTime.  They had 952 entries from 29 counties and 40 states.

Fiesta by Mishkalo Artist Diane Leon.

We asked Diane why this was important and what it meant to her in terms of her art and recognition as an artist.

Diane says ” Online Juried abstract exhibitions are a good way to create a larger audience of my work. Since 2016 entering this international exhibition, (lightspacetime.art) I have won an award three consecutive years for my paintings in these highly competitive shows.

All my abstract artworks are painted in vivid and high energy colors. The intimate size I work in offers options to collectors. It can stand on its own as a piece on the wall, in a bookcase or part of a group collection.

As an adjunct associate professor of arts at New York University, School of Professional Studies, the Arts faculty is hosting in May 2018 a “Humanities” event showcasing the work of the students.The selected students will exhibit works from last year’s painting class and my current Collage and Mixed Media class. The enthusiasm I have for teaching is reflected in their works. I am proud to be a part of NYU since 1995 and continue to give back as a professor and mentor. ”

More of Diane’s Vibrant and colorful abstracts. Her paintings will bring life and cheer to any room. Her colors are bold and bright and will match any furniture that you have in your room.

Epiphany by Mishkalo Artist Diane Leon.

Resolution by Mishkalo Artist Diane Leon.

Enlightenment by Mishkalo Artist Diane Leon.

Stephanie Bird. Artist. Herbalist. Author of ten books. Both fiction and non-fiction. Included in various anthologies. Professor. Business owner. Mother. Soap maker.

Artist Stephanie Bird on Mishkalo

Her resume will give anybody a serious inferiority complex. Yet, she is a calm, relaxed, almost laid-back person who wears her accomplishments with grace and humility. Always ready to jump into the next project.

Mishkalo is pleased to call Stephanie Rose Bird one of our artists.

A modern day Georgia O’keefe, Stephanie grew up in rural New Jersey surrounded by lakes, gardens, flowers and birds. As such, nature is still a major subject of her paintings, interpreted with her artistic eyes and hands.

Chilli by artist Stephanie Bird on Mishkalo.

Currently working on two expressionistic series – fruit and vegetables – Stephanie says, “It is interesting working with representational art and abstract expressionism simultaneously. Admittedly, I am partial to working abstractly yet I find both styles inform each other. I find there is a lot of pinned up energy during the winter and working with sumi-ink and brush painting, as well as mixed media on paper is the perfect way to capture all of that energy and get it down on paper or canvas.”

Artist in Residence

Always active in engaging and being engaged in the community, she has been selected to be the Artist-in Residence at Channahon – the place where Kankakee and Des Plaines rivers come together to form the Illinois river. “Can’t wait to capture the water,” she says gleefully.

Solo Exhibition

Further, she is preparing to exhibit her work this Winter and Spring in a solo exhibition at the Forest Park National Bank in Forest Park, IL. It should be interesting to see how the works relate to one another and contrast in mood, color and light, from one season to the next. The subject matter is landscape, plants, and botanicals, done in an Expressionist, Cubist and Abstract Expressionist style. She has enjoyed working expressionistically and in abstraction for quite some time. Neo-Cubism is a new enthusiasm. Her intention is to portray the border between representation and abstraction that occurs when focusing on light, shape, line and color rather than realistic representation of my subject matter.

Author

All this while she is writing a book of fiction, managing her company and writing articles on herbalism. Time to make some soap, Stephanie!

Hum – Painting by Stephanie Bird on Mishkalo.

Asparagus – Painting by Stephanie Bird on Mishkalo.

Painting by artist Stephanie Bird.