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Diana Woods artist is a painter and sculptor living in Western Colorado, inspired by her surroundings on the border of the Colorado National Monument. Her work reflects her deep belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the divine spirit in nature.
Woods received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and a minor in art history and equestrian studies from William Woods College. Upon graduation, the artist moved to Montana to explore the mountains, ski, hike and paint. Several years later, Woods moved to the high desert of Grand Junction, Colorado. She became an art teacher, arts administrator, raised her two sons, and began exhibiting her paintings of horses, wildlife, and the western landscape.
Originally from Nebraska, the stories and inspiration behind her work stem from her childhood memories. She “grew up on the back of a horse” and her grandfather told tall tales of the Wild West. As a result, her work is in narrative and allegorical imagery. Her work illustrates the parallels between human experience and the natural world. Riding her horse in the canyons is Diana’s form of meditation. The herds of wild horses on the Little Book Cliffs range near her home spark her imagination. Consequently, myths and archetypal symbols often surround the stories in her work.
Inspired by the Abstract Expressionist movement, Woods’ paintings are filled with layers of texture, luminous color, drips and gestural brushstrokes. Combining abstract elements with realism adds a dimension of contrast between the animals and their dreamlike surroundings. Using various materials such as oils, acrylics, collage, and cold wax, she works quickly on a wood surface, allowing the images to emerge intuitively. In the last decade, Woods has expanded her creative repertoire to include sculpture, utilizing bronze as well as found objects.
“My paintings and sculpture address the spiritual connection we have with the natural world. These are the otherworldly animals of my dreams, memories and imagination,” reflects the artist. “As our world becomes ever more developed, I feel it is more important than ever to reawaken within ourselves, the mysteries of nature and the wild unknown. The world is a magical place if we just pay attention. It is my hope that my work speaks to the viewer in a way that inspires wonder and a reverence for the sacred in nature and the wild creatures that inhabit this earth.”
Diana Woods artist has participated in prominent juried exhibitions such as the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Cowgirl Up! Her work has been included in publications such as Southwest Art Magazine, Artists Magazine,Colorado Life Magazine, Monument Living, The Glenwood Springs Post Independent and more. Woods has been awarded by Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture, Colorado Mountain Wine Festival, Artists Magazine, and more. Her work is in many private and public collections throughout the United States.
