Moray-based artist Diane Main presents Wild Life, an exploration of woodland drawn from daily walking observations.
Diane Main is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, with a Masters in Fine Art (1996) and a B.A. (Hons) in Drawing and Painting. For the past 10 years Diane has run an independent arts studio in Forres.
With this work, Diane delves into the paths and furrows of our forests, picking a path through dense foliage, fallen and uprooted trees, and the tangled thickets of this tactile and visceral landscape.
Contributing within the local community as an art educator is a meaningful part of Diane’s work. The artwork of participants who attend her studio classes will also be exhibited.
*OPENING LAUNCH PARTY – FRI 23 SEP, 5.30-7.00PM*
Artist Statement
Living rurally, in direct proximity to the terrain of a diverse ecosystem, encourages roaming. Veering off visible trails animates and amplifies observation. The ease of walking is impeded by dense foliage, fallen and uprooted trees, this requires agile navigation, to adapt and proceed in a responsive manner. Clambering over a mass tangle of branches, wading through thicket, growth and decay are active. It’s tactile and visceral.
Walking, rhythmic striding, a broad scanning gaze, is interspersed with moments of pause, shifting from macro to micro, to inspect a dollop of colour, mould-ridden bug bitten leaves, a crop of flowers in various states of bud, bloom and seeding, the upright or droop state of a plant. The lure of an organic formation, a fungus. The vast swarm of copious greens. Weather conditions charge the air, a looping breeze, vapour, pops of pollen, the moisture of mist, raindrops. It’s all a catalyst for art making.
This activity is crucial, foraging for specimens and information. Placed in the studio environment, a foliage’s distinguishing characteristics become distinct. Working from specimens allows the composition to develop gradually in the piece. Large scale works remain fluid for the duration of painting, whilst smaller scale inspires a swifter method.
Artistically, I depend upon the craftsmanship skills of drawing and painting, alongside the immediacy of the improvised moment whilst creating.
Each drawing and painting medium is a substance with innate properties, all are unique in transmitting evidence of the human hand in motion, at work. Preferring to leave a brushstroke as it is, rather than meddle, a natural gesture is left. Sincere rather than refined is the aim.
I run a small independent art studio. Contributing within the local community as an art educator is a meaningful part of my work. I am delighted to exhibit alongside participants who attend my studio classes.
About the Artist
Diane Main is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, with a Masters in Fine Art (1996) and a B.A. (Hons) in Drawing and Painting.
Since graduating, Diane has been working as an active arts educator, working for both the Visual Arts Studio and Glasgow School of Arts’ Continuing Education Department.
For the past 10 years Diane has run an independent arts studio within Forres, sustaining a commitment as an arts provider within the local community, for all abilities and ages, alongside her own painting practice.
Diane’s current body of work is focused on her immediate environment of woodland surroundings and the activity of her daily walking observations.
Venue Accessibility Info
Moray Art Centre has a level entranceway, accessible parking spaces outside the building and a fully accessible toilet.