Diana Roper McDowell

I explore both abstractionism and realism in art, and work to combine the two.  The outline of my subject matter leans towards realism, but the shapes of color inside the subject, are abstract.  I use color and line to meld the two art forms together.  

I spend much of my time creating a drawing.  I use this time to explore what shapes it takes to make your eye move throughout the painting.  Then I work with color to either solidify the realism, or give rise to more abstraction.  As I paint, I find the abstract shapes tend to shut down one’s internal dialogue and relax the mind in a wash of color and movement.  I call this Abstract Realism.

I have been in various galleries over the years, most recently in Artemis Gallery in Northeast Harbor, ME.

I studied at the Norton Gallery and School of Art in West Palm Beach, FL, and at the University of Maine in Orono.

I have been included in Carl Little’s book, Paintings of Maine, and in David Little and Carl Little’s book, The Art of Acadia, and Art of Penobscot Bay.