Diane Beecher

Art has been my joy and salvation for 72 years!  I love to explore various media as well as the world around me.  I have painted for most of my life although no formal art school.  To fill the gap between education and creating I have taken numerous seminars focusing on ceramics, watercolor, oil, and wood carving (and everything else that catches my eye).  I never know what skill set will be the perfect match for a new inspiration…so I try to learn them all (impossible I know, but a fun goal).  Loosing myself in an art project delights me!

Painting helped me through the newly married lean years.  There I found the thrill of painting was surpassed by selling!  Who knew?!  But I lacked confidence in making a career in art.  So my husband encouraged me (a mother of a 1 and 3 year old) go to dental school.  Fillings became small sculptures, and dentures restored facial beauty.  My husband was in the Air Force and was close to retirement. So I joined too!   

How does art play in my “salvation”?  Of course the money helped in all aspects.  But more than that, painting helped me get through difficulties in life.  While active duty I was in charge of dental forensic identifications for the military.  Then 9/11 hit.  We did the ID’s for the Pentagon and civilian aircraft.  Although honored to be able to provide closure for the families, the sadness was overwhelming.  My family thought of a plan to help me.  My parents provided all the supplies I needed to paint porcelain. Then Mom spent a week teaching me how to use them.  Before this she had not wanted to teach me this skill because she thought that I was already too fragmented in my approach to life between having a family and a career.  But that is another story.

When I retired several stores carried my paintings.  But after 3 years of retirement my husband of 37 years suddenly died.  I stopped painting, maybe even living, for 2 years.  Then fellow painter referred two aspiring students. Having not taught before I was apprehensive, but decided to give it a try.  What a great decision!  Teaching and focusing on art brought me back to the world and I am forever grateful.  I have been learning, teaching, and creating ever since.