Art by Di
Canadian artist Di was born in Vancouver in 1984 and developed her unique painting style after graduating from Simon Fraser University as an Archaeological Illustrator. Restricted by technical details and colourless inks in 2012 she broke free into the world of acrylic paint. Completely self-taught her style evolved through the exploration of using bright solid colors and flowing lines to reduce the endless detail of life into calming, simplistic beauty.
Di’s body of work includes illustration, digital art and acrylic paintings. She has been shown in galleries on Bowen Island, Vancouver and in private collections across North America. Recently she created two 360° murals for the BC Children’s Hospital and was co-exhibitor in ‘The Art of Conservation’; an exhibition to raise funds and awareness for wildlife conservation in British Columbia. Di works from her home studio on Bowen Island where she is often found exploring land and sea with her husband, daughter and two dogs.
Current works can be found at Catching Stars Gallery
Artist Statement
Beauty of nature is the key inspiration behind Di’s contemporary west coast acrylic paintings. With a focus on light, color and movement Di seeks to reduce the endless detail of life into simple form and palette, allowing viewers’ imaginations to fill in details of time and place. The artist sees herself as a filter; passing images repeatedly through the lens of her mind as she translates the world around her.
Not bound by any school or tradition she simply creates what pulls at her heart until it is put down on canvas. Starting with a scene or composite image she peels back layers of detail, emboldens color and smooths shapes until she is ready to transfer onto canvas. By adding thin layers of a single acrylic color she builds until the medium is opaque yet smooth-showing the texture of the canvas below. Clean lines are achieved by a steady hand and are one of the most consistent features of her compositions.
Much of Di’s focus is on the unique species that inhabit the coastlines of British Columbia. Growing up on the west coast she has developed an intimate connection with forest, mountains, sea and the animals that call it home. She clearly conveys this reverence for nature in her paintings, highlighted by her commitment to bringing attention to nature conservation.
The artist lives and works on Bowen Island, Canada.