ABOUT SARAH DIANA

After discovering my desire to paint artistically I devoured every art and watercolor book my county library had in its collection. I read each chapter and found ways to translate them into pieces that felt like home. Scenes from our small coastal island appeared in each of my pieces and taught me the skills needed to understand color theory, perspective, focal points and value. I spent over a year dedicated to learning through daily practice, Facebook forums, and books. Over that year I discovered things about myself I never knew and in them I found the courage to follow the opportunities that presented themselves along the way.

One day while talking with God I felt I should finally share these folders of paintings I had been creating and see how people responded to them. I was floored at the response of our amazing Wilmington community and from there I began pursuing the dream to support my family with my art.  After selling a few small original pieces I invested in a fine art Printer (Pixie) as I call her and we began the journey of sharing the gift God had given me and I never knew existed.

After COVID I found my way to Florida where I was exposed to a world of fine art I had never known before and I knew I hadn’t ended up there on accident… This was the story God was creating with me and I was going to open every present he delivered along the path. No fear, no hesitation, just faith that if God presented these gifts to me they were mine to open. And so, I opened each one day after day and found inspiration in
every person, and path I took.

My art grew bigger, my heart felt fuller, and my life shined brighter than I had ever dreamed. People from all over the country were seeing my art and taking it home to hold space in their lives. I shared my triumphs and tragedies openly along the way and always gave the glory to God because without God I would never have picked up that paintbrush one cold day in late 2018.

I've held a number of positions in my 45 years, from the service industry, construction, managing foster care homes, and even a two year stint as a Science teacher, but the most amazing thing I've ever done and continue to do is be a mother. It was through my children that I realized I was not living in the light I dreamed to, I was not shining the gift of life that God had granted me to its fullest. It was my love for them that brought me to ask “Show me what to do God, I’ll do it, no matter how crazy it seems, I”ll do it.” “Whatever you do; Paint!” that was the calling, it felt like a command. “Whatever you do, Paint!” I had no idea God meant on paper, I went home planning to paint the ugly yellow bathroom but found my children watercolor painting at the kitchen counter. That moment every cell in my body began to glow. For me, when I glow, I KNOW!

My life has never been the same from that day on, I’ve never looked at the world in so much color and beauty as I do these days. Even in the darkest of sorrow I can and do find the light. It may take a couple dozen hours engrossed in my paints to see the full light but I always get there and grow there…. The cotton, the pigments, the water…

They are the pieces of the puzzle that mend me back together.