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 Artist
Statement

 

I have always admired artists such as Henri Matisse and Chuck Close who have used their disadvantages as an advantage.  

 

Case in point, towards the end of Matisse's life, he couldn't paint anymore. It was then he developed his Cut-out Series so he could express himself artistically. Another artist that I admire is Chuck Close who suffered a stroke in his mid fifties.  Instead of giving up, he found a way to create art in spite of his physical disabilities that were caused by the stroke.

 

Recently, I heard about the artist Phil Hansen, who gave the talk at the TED conference, entitled, 'Embracing the Shake." Hansen developed a shake in his drawing hand, which limited his way of creating art, but opened his mind to think of art differently. He created different styles and mediums of art.

 

This is what all these three artists have in common. When faced with adversity, each artist accepted their limitations and also embraced, adapted and enhanced their creativity.  They made their weakness their strength. They found a way to share their creativity with the world in spite of their limitations.

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Acrylic painting

Sized: 16 x 20 inches on stretched canvas

Completed 2022

Recent Art Works

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Workshops Available:

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Meditate to Create

Create Art That Heals

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Classes to  resume in Spring of 2024

 

Instructor, Diane McGarel  will walk you through art activities that will help focus your mind and heart on art, aiming to increase your creativity.

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wear comfy clothes

all supplies will be provided

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Email guild@unionstreetgallery.org  to ask about the current class schedule.

 

Diane recently held workshops at Trinity Church, Crete UMC, Union Street Gallery and the Flossmoor Public Library.

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Love creating!!

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Arts helps me explore and interprete the world around me.

 

As an artist, my objective is not to reproduce exactly what is but to produce what can be.

Diane McGarel, Artist

Books
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"Art is healing. It’s a way for one to find balance so they can heal and be whole.  For me, art mends the brokenness of my heart. "

 

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to read a bit of the book, Discovering Grace


Published September 21, 2020
ISBN: 9798688201925  
Softcover- Sized: 6 x 9  / 121 pages. B & W

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Click   HERE 

to view and

purchase more  Books

Bio
      &
     Resume

Awards:

2014 Honorable Mention    Explosive Impressions Juried Exhibition

2013 Second Place                All About Color, Juried Exhibiton  

2009 Honorable Mention    Governors State University Students’ Exhibition

2007 Honorable Mention    Illiana Artists’ 11th Juried Regional Exhibition 

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Instructor

2024   Meditate to Create, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL 

2023   Art that Heals Workshops, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL

2023  Creating Art that Heals Workshop, Crete UMC, Crete, IL

2023   Creating Art that Heals Workshop/ Book Signing, Trinity Church, Monee, IL 
2018   Return to the Edge, Solo Exhibition, Edge Coffee Shop, Crete, IL
2016  Coloring to Hear, Two Hour Workshop. Crete United Methodist Church, Crete, IL
2016  Coloring Class, Two week course, Flossmoor Public Library, IL
2015  Mixed Media Techniques, Six week course, Flossmoor Library, IL
2015  Mixed Media, Two week course, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL  

Selected Art Shows and Exhibitions:

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2024  Annual Studio and Guild Art Show, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL

2023   The Edge Coffee Shop, Crete, IL 60411

2023   Virtuosity in Unity, Guild & Studio Artists, Union Street Gallery, IL 60411

2022   6th Annual Showcase, Crete Creative Gallery, IL 60417

2022   TA-DA. Tall Grass Arts Gallery, Park Forest, IL 60466

2022   Parallel Visions, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

2021   Reunion Show. Tall Grass Gallery. Park Forest, IL 60466

2021   Union Street Gallery's Artists Invitational, Chciago Hts. IL

2021   Edge Coffee Shop, Crete, IL

2021  4th Annual Regional Show. Crete Creative Gallery, Crete, IL

2019  The Sky the Limit, Tall Grass Gallery, Park Forest, IL

                Juror:  Richard Schmidt, Claudia Craemer, Deborah Craemer.

2019  Reginal Artists Exhibition, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL

2018  Returning to the Edge, Solo Exhibition, The Edge Coffee Shop, Crete, IL.,

           Sold 3 Pieces
2016  At the Edge. Solo Exhibition, The Edge Coffee Shop, Crete, IL.,

                                   Sold 33 Pieces
2014  Explosive Impressions. Tall Grass Arts Gallery, IL
                     Entree entitled: Just Because awarded Honorable Mention
2014  Connections, Pop-Up Gallery, Main Street, Park Forest, IL
2014   Union Street Show. White Ripple Gallery, Hammond, IN
2013   All About Color. Arterie Fine Arts. Naperville, IL
           Entree Earthbound award second place

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-   view the art shows by clicking the underlined text  -

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