Figure

Equine

D. Lee

Pet Portraits

Wildlife

Figure

Equine

 

Portraits 

Western/Wildlife

 

Home
About The Artist
Available Work
News
Request Information
Equine
Figures
Portraits
Wildlife

 


Oil Painters Of America

 

 

               
               Photographing Thoroughbred babies in Deauville, France

 

D. was born in Saratoga, NY, has lived in Idaho and Prescott, Arizona and now resides in "The Horse Capital of the World" Lexington, Kentucky.  A long time professional horse trainer and competitor, she began painting  when she was 30. "I'm a late starter. It never even occurred to me to become an artist when I was younger."    Even then, her painting took a back seat  until about eight years later.  "Life just kept getting in the way.  I had two small girls, and lost my husband to cancer in 2000.  I have so much empathy for struggling artists, you have no idea." 

She enjoys painting all animals, as well as the human form.  "I can't limit myself to a certain subject matter, there are too many wonderful things to try and paint. Much of the time it is all about the light to me, but I also love to try and just capture a mood, a moment in time." 

Very happily remarried to Tim, a widower himself, they love to travel but also hang out (i.e. work) on the farm.  "We love the Bluegrass life!"  They currently (current being the operative word) own five Thoroughbreds, four off the track and one homebred.

She is committed to helping ex-racehorses and animals in general, and has a list of causes she supports with donated paintings.

She has been privileged to study with “incredible artists" such as Morgan Weistling, Dan Mieduch, Dave Wade, Tom Browning, Greg Beecham,  Jim Norton, Gary Carter and Sam Savitt.  "They are some of the best, and have been huge influences at every stage of my journey. I know I only retained a tenth of their valuable information, and I'm really hoping for some repeats."

She has been a Quick Draw artist (completing a painting in an hour)  at the Phippen  Art Show for seven years, and  the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival for five years in a row.  "I really enjoy it more and more. It's a great challenge."

"Painting is now necessary for me. I don't always enjoy it, to be sure. It is a roller coaster ride of disappointment, frustration, pleasure and satisfaction. I don't paint every day. It can take me absolutely forever to finally get in front of the easel. Whether that's my past of trying to squeeze painting in amongst work and family, or my own lack of discipline I'm not sure.  And once I get there, I'm easily distracted. I wish I was an artist who could get lost in a painting and realize they've been painting for hours, but I'm not.  Art is such a great journey of self awareness and I have accepted (finally) how I am, how I approach painting, and how I don't.  The only rule is there are no rules. That works for me."

"If I could encourage anyone who wants to pursue art, I would say 'Just do it.' That is what a sculptor (John Coleman, CA) did for me when I was contemplating doing a sculpture. He waved aside all my questions and doubts and said those words to me. He was so right. You just have to love something enough to slog through the difficulties, that's what 'talent' is to me."

 

 


   

Disciplines: 

Oil

Bronze   

 

  • ACCOLADES
     
  • American Academy of Equine Art Fall Show 2007 and 2008
  • Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction, 2009
  • 2007 Master Foxhounds of America Centennial Traveling Exhibit
  • 2005 Winner of the Southwest Art Award, Phippen Fine Art Show
  • Associate Member of the Oil Painters of America
  • 2003 award winner Phippen Museum Fine Art Show
  • Award winner Draft Horse Classic Art Show
  • 2004 Scottsdale Best and Brightest Show.
  • 2004 Western States Horse Expo
  • Represented by Galleries West Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Gallery B Lexington, Kentucky

 

Donations:  Organizations D. has supported with donated paintings include:

      Lexington Cancer Foundation
      Thoroughbred Charities of America
      Woodford Humane Society
      Bluegrass Conservancy

     

 

Commissions:

 D. will sometimes do commissions.  References need to be agreed upon, price per commission starts at $8/sq.inch.

 

Some of my former racehorses in their new careers with me.

 



   With Tim in Midway, KY
 


       
Greta                                                      Max


23˚F!!   Quick Draw on the Square, Jackson Hole, September 2006




Creating the record setting Quick Draw- Phippen 2007 

 

 


With our Baby Annie   April 2008


"Baby" Annie  October 2009

 

 

Contact the artist: diana at dianasart.com
All images and site content @ Copyright 2000-2008, D. Lee, Diana Heagarty

Home ] [ About The Artist ] Available Work ] News ] Request Information ] Equine ] Figures ] Portraits ] Wildlife ]