Of Animals, Art and Awe
by Diane Simmons
Art was a significant part of my childhood. From drawing things for my friends to creating gifts for family members, it was clear this was my passion, and I was determined to pursue it. So, as I grew, and my art skills continued to improve, majoring in Art in college was a logical step for me. I started at UCLA Art School and transitioned to UC Santa Barbara, where I was admitted to an elite art school of only 12 students. Art for me at that time was only graphite, charcoal, or oil paints. Unfortunately, when I was 18, one of my professors had a conversation with me that changed my trajectory. I was the only realism artist in the school, and he told me that I was out of touch and needed to study in Europe if I wanted to progress in art. I couldn’t fathom going to Europe by myself at that age, and so I put my art aside, feeling any further progress in art was no longer attainable. I was married at age 22 and started a family. With three children active in sports and other activities, my days were full. The only art I did during those years was art that the kids might need for a school project.
"I take my time in enjoying the beauty in creation,
and commissions are simply a bonus."
This lion done in colored pencil has a pastel background. This was the picture I drew that made me decide to work exclusively in colored pencils rather than pastels.
This all changed when, many years later, my daughter told me she was going to pay someone on Etsy to draw her cats for my new granddaughter's nursery. I quickly reminded her that I was an artist and was up for the task. I immediately went to a local art store to buy supplies. I first considered oil paints, but decided that was too daunting for my first project in 40 years, so I opted for pastel sticks. As I worked on the project, I found the pastel sticks too bulky and unable to produce fine detail. They were also almost as messy as oil paints, so I put my newly acquired tools away yet again.
A couple of years later, in 2018, my son unexpectedly passed away. He was also an artistic person and loved art. I found that, suddenly, I had a desire to sit and draw in his honor. But, from my prior attempt to get back into art, I knew I didn’t want to use pastel. I began to investigate and stumbled onto teaching about colored pencils from Lisa Watkins. It was through this that I learned how to layer, blend, and get fine details on the top. Then, I found Bonny Snowdon’s community. I have since found so many other colored pencil artists that are willing to share tips and ideas. It’s a wonderful community.
"Hanging in There" This drawing was featured in Ann Kullberg's Color magazine, September 2023
Sitting for hours and meditating on the magnificent colors that are found in God’s creation fills me with awe. It’s through this that I found a way to cope with the difficulty of losing my son and also regained my passion for art. At first, I found colored pencil so slow. I started doing colored pencil drawings but using pastels for the backgrounds. However, through this process, I soon learned to embrace the slowness as a gift. Now, I use 100% colored pencil on most of my work. I take my time and concentrate on the beauty of each subject. I’m still amazed at the many colors in people and animals. It has allowed me to see the reward in the slow process. Seeing a piece come to life gradually is now enjoyable for me. I used to think that if my calendar was not booked with commissions, that I was a failure. But, now I create what inspires me, I take my time in enjoying the beauty in creation, and commissions are simply a bonus.
"Lion Love" I no longer think of backgrounds as something to get through but as part of the composition.
In college, my friends would ask me why I stared at things. It was because I was always thinking of how I would render that subject. Now, I am back to staring, but this time I’m admiring the beauty of God’s handiwork and deciding if the best pencil to use would be Caput Mortem Violet or Burnt Sienna.
Through my journey, I've learned an important truth: I didn't need to go to Europe to study art after all. I simply needed to embrace the beauty of God's creation and use each stroke of my pencil to bring him glory.
DIANE SIMMONS:
Diane Simmons combines her classical art training from UCLA and passion for animals to create one-of-a-kind portraits of pets, wildlife, and people. Using colored pencils, bringing the subjects to life in each portrait, while also capturing their unique personalities.
She resides in the Dallas, Fort Worth area with her husband, pug, and rag doll cat. She lives near her two daughters and grandchildren, who often serve as muses for her portraits.
Website: Animal Creations by Diane