Daily Inspiration: Meet Diane Russo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Russo. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all began when my family gave me an easel for my birthday at the age of 57. After never having a lesson, I sat down and drew a landscape painting. I then tried painting and painting a landscape. My children said, “Mom, look what you did!”. I was shocked. When I was working as a makeup artist in Mizner Park, my clients worked at Boca Museum and Ft. Lauderdale Museum. They saw the photos of my work on my cell phone and urged me to enter them in a gallery. I emailed them to the Center for Creative Education in West Palm Beach and they were accepted a month later. The rest is history! 

I now exhibit my art throughout Florida. I am a self-taught artist and my art is all free hand work. My work includes all styles of art. I enjoy painting people, pets, and landscapes. 

I am currently a member of Bay County Arts Alliance and East Hampton Guild Hall in New York. I have previously exhibited with Palm Beach and Broward Art Guild. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been offered opportunities to exhibit in Paris at the Art Expo and in Switzerland. I would say the only struggle is sending my art to other countries since I have never experienced this before. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have painted five hundred paintings in four years and I am proud of the fact that my paintings will sell on the first day of the exhibit. People all over the country believe that they see angels in my paintings. I cannot see the angels, but they can and that fills me with emotion. There is a glowing light-filled with peacefulness within my art and people recognize that. 

What sets me apart from other artists? I am self-taught in painting every style of art and most artists are taught one style. I never know what I will paint before starting. My art is never planned out and you will find hidden meanings within my art. There are letters hidden in some of my collections. I paint tapestries similar to those dating back to the 1600s. I am inspired by Monet, Rembrandt, Thomas Kinkade, Renoir, and Florida Highwaymen. 

Most of my landscapes are filled with birds flying and filled with movement. You are able to feel as if you are present in my landscapes. There will be wind, rain, stormy seas, and birds soaring through the sky. 

I also receive many requests to paint music artists and deceased people/pets. You may find me painting in a field in Alabama or any other state. I will also use my fingers to paint and become one with my canvas. 

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I am able to paint any photo upon request and every holiday season I donate a painting in a drawing at the Bay County Public Library in Panama City, Florida. I have a solo exhibit at the library of approximately thirty paintings every year. I have always exhibited through Florida’s Public Library System and at Florida Universities/galleries. 

You will be seeing many country music artist portraits coming soon! You can find articles about my exhibits in the Panama City News Herald here: 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/whimsical-art-exhibits-open-at-the-bay-county-public-library-in-panama-city/ar-AAPvMfU 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.dianerussoart.com/
• Instagram: @artistdianerusso
• Facebook: @artistdianerusso
• Twitter: @definitelydiane