Artist’s Biography: Diane O’Hern
Artist and educator Diane O’Hern was born in Storm Lake, Iowa. Her early carefree days near the lakeshore, mother’s garden and family reunions left an indelible imprint on her art style. Life experiences are significant contributions to Diane’s artwork.
“From my earliest memories, art has been a part of my life. A great inspiration came from my Grandma Olga’s cousin, Billie and Alex Ignatiev. During a family reunion at grandparents William J. Hase house on Otsego Street, just two blocks from the lake, Alex, an Artist for Disney Studios in California, personally showed me how to draw Donald Duck! As an 8 year old, Donald Duck was all I wanted to draw after that! Every Christmas Billie would send a hand painted Christmas card to our family with a beautiful painting by Alex on the front cover. My appreciation for art led me to take every art class in school and I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Art Education at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. I was honored with the Ella Witter Art Scholarship,” says Diane.
For decades, Diane taught K-8 art in Eagle Grove. Today, she continues to teach art classes for children and adults.
“My artwork is a combination of figuration and abstraction, mostly representational. The essence of my subject is projected through paintings with a variety of brush marks. With my art, I hope to bring that life to those who have never lived it, or bring back wonderful memories to those who have. Perhaps sparking a fantasy, thought or just enjoyment in your heart and mind through my art,” says Diane.
See more of Diane’s Art at ohernart.blogspot.com