ARTIST’S STATEMENT: My paintings are constructed and textured. I use found, handmade or painted paper in conjunction with oil, acrylic or watercolor paint. Sometimes the surfaces are carved to enhance the texture. This method provides an avenue for invention that expands yet simplifies the subject, enhances the shapes, and brings a greater sense of contrast in the final painting. For me, it provides a freer means of expression and creativity.

I believe the artist should inspire the spectator to find more in a painting than simply the beauty of a scene or an event. I want the art to communicate a feeling and a meaning beyond the obvious. The subject matter is a representation of experiences in my life and as with all things that impact my development they are not always complete in their clarity of message. They leave many parts for me to dwell on. They linger with me oftentimes for years or decades. They provide food to feast from and reminders of smells and sounds from many perspectives again and again; that is what art should also do for the spectator. Each encounter should challenge the thoughts of the viewer to unveil new insights, new emotions.

DIANNA SHOMAKER’s art education began at Central Washington College in Ellensburg, Washington. In 1967 she studied with Ray Cox in San Antonio, Texas experimenting with new media and techniques such as charcoal and collage. That experimentation continued and expanded under the tutelage of Frau Sachweh in Zweibrucken, Germany who focused on the use of palette knife and abstractions. Since 1973 she has studied with many art instructors in Albuquerque, e.g., Sam Smith, Ted Hogsett, Charles Dunbar, Diane Schlies, augmented by various workshops.

Work by Shomaker can been seen at Weems Art Gallery, and the New Fisher Gallery in Albuquerque.

Dianna was born in Seattle, Washington, holds BS and MSN degrees in Nursing, as well as MA and PhD degrees in Anthropology. She is retired from UNM where she was the Associate Dean of Nursing and Distance Education, and then Director of the UNM Graduate Centers in Santa Fe and Los Alamos. She is married to John Shomaker, a hydrogeologist and CEO of JSAI consulting firm in Albuquerque.

Art Awards:

• 1952 Art Honor Student of the Month, Auburn, Washington
• 1952 Grand Prize, Pacific Northwest High Schools Art Show, Central Washington College
• 1st Prize, Linoleum Block Print, and 3 scholarships to Central Wash. College, Ellensburg, Wash.

1970

• Witte Museum Art Show, San Antonio, Texas
• 1973 Grand Prize, American Artists in Europe, Amateur Division, Frankfurt, Germany
• 1974 2nd Prize Small Painting Show, Albuquerque, NM, (juried)and Purchase Prize in the 1974 Small Paintings Show, purchased by First Federal Savings and Loan

1997

• Hunger Artist Gallery (juried)
• Honorable Mention, Rio Grande Arts Association (juried)
• 3rd Prize, New Mexico State Fair (juried)

Exhibited at:

• Painted Parrot Gallery, Old Town Albuquerque, NM
• Skylight Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
• New Mexico Art League, Albuquerque, NM
• Eleanor Oldham’s Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
• Framing Concepts Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
• Magnifico
• Annual UNM Faculty Art Shows, University of New Mexico
• Southwest Arts and Crafts Fair
• Ouray Alpine Art Show
• “Taos Stream” painting chosen for Christmas Card of Shomaker and Assoc.

2002

• Placitas Studio Tour, May 2002
• 2002 September, NM State Fair, Fine Arts juried show

2003

• October, Corrales Fine Arts juried show
• 2003 Southwestern School of Art, Reunion Show, Albuquerque, NM
• Masterworks 2003 (juried), Albuquerque, NM
• 2003 Rio Grand Arts Association (juried), Albuquerque, NM, Honorable Mention
• 2003 Placitas Studio Tour, May 2003
• 2003 Placitas Artists Series, four person show (juried)
• 2003 Rio Grand Arts Association show, Winrock Mall, Albuquerque, NM

2004

• 2004 Placitas Artist Series, 4 person show (juried)
• 2004 New Fisher Gallery, 4 person show
• 2004 Placitas Studio Tour, May 2004
• 2004 Rio Grande Arts Association (juried)

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