Multi-faceted, multi-talented creative dynamo pretty much describes Diane Bruckner. The Webmaster for the Guild and former longtime newsletter editor draws and paints wildlife so accurately that it looks as though it were about to fly or walk off the canvas or page. Diane’s realistic and representational oil paintings, pastels, graphite/charcoal drawings and limited edition reproductions of America’s wildlife are crafted with a love for the subjects and with the motivation of helping viewers share that love and appreciation for their neighbors on the Earth. “When people walk into my booth and look at my artwork and read the short descriptions/information I have next to every species – I am very pleased,” Diane said. “Whether they buy something or not they leave my booth usually having learned something about the wildlife on our planet.”

Diane, who divides her time between Santa Clarita, CA, in the winter and Cleveland, OH, in the summer, stopped in Canton earlier this year to join the OACG Board for a meeting. She sells her paintings and drawings at art festivals, private home shows and galleries in California, Florida and Ohio at prices ranging from $200 to $6,000. She’s at the top of her art when she experiences that “ah-ha” moment upon getting it right when painting the eye of an eagle, bill of a goose or wings of a condor. “I have always felt a connection to the wildlife on this planet,” she said. “It’s hard to explain without sounding a little strange. It’s more of a deep respect than anything else. I find it hard to believe that all of nature (from trees to birds to bees) were put here for the sole purpose of human consumption or entertainment, and yet that’s how it appears to me most of the time. Because of those feelings, educating the public has become a vital component of my art.”

Diane displays all of her artwork with the most current information available on the species from the Division of Wildlife. She’s aware that species threatened with extinction are so threatened by the actions of human beings and she’s trying to make a difference on behalf of her subjects.

Art school, art classes and art awards are all part of Diane’s resume, but she paints and draws because “I truly just want you to enjoy looking at my artwork as much as I enjoy painting it. I want you to see the beauty in the wildlife that surrounds us, even if they are not what we humans define as beautiful. “I want you to somehow feel the connection that I do. If I can succeed at doing that with my paintings and drawings, I will be happy.

Diane recently ventured into a new area, the world of miniature paintings, and is in the process of completing her first authentic miniature. “Not only do I get to paint the details I love to do, but the challenge to paint them teeny and correctly has been most gratifying,” she said.

An OACG member since 1987, Diane believes “The visual arts play an important role in the history of our planet, however, it always seems that they are put at the bottom of the list when it comes to city or governmental financial funding agendas. “In my opinion, anything that brings the visual arts to the forefront is valuable and important. Anything that encourages, guides and helps artists to pursue their creative spirit is also important. “The Guild has done all that for me, and for many that I know. It’s an extremely valuable tool that should always be kept alive and going.”

By Dave Crookston