Ready for Take Off!
Clockwise: Making the Connection, Dusk in Old Town, At the Crossroads, Mystic Meets Malden, At What Cost (detail).
Paintings from my Aerial series were exhibited in six shows over the Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2019. In May the four person show Four Directions in Contemporary Landscape opened at the Piano Craft Gallery in Boston. Visitors to the show were excited by the different perspective, and were curious about my process. The paintings resonated with their own experience of flight, and triggered memories of landscapes strewn with lights and dramatic take offs and landings. They also responded viscerally to images of a world dominated by highways, industry, and sprawling cities.
The series gained momentum in June as “Making the Connection” was included in the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) 34th International Exhibition in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was thrilled to be part of this impressive show, surrounded with masterful works by artists throughout the US and abroad. This is the third piece from my Aerial series that has been exhibited at IAPS!
In July “Mystic Meets Malden” was accepted into the national juried show For Pastels Only (FPO) organized by the Pastel Society of Cape Cod, at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod and won the Liz Haywood Sullivan award. The juror of awards described the piece:
“Excitement runs from the bottom to the top and back again in this aerial view of a city. The large navy shapes let us catch our breath and then slide up and back for more.” —Nancy King Mertz, PSA Master Circle
Now in my third year of working on this series, I am very excited that they are beginning to take off!
The group show Parallels and Intersections, at the Sprinkler Factory Gallery in Worcester, also featured my aerial work. I greatly enjoyed the conversations I had with visitors to the gallery. They were intrigued by the my use of perspective, color and mark making, and the drama in the night landscape.
In September my painting “Mystic Meets Malden” was exhibited at the Pastel Society of America’s (PSA) prestigious international show Enduring Brilliance, held at the National Arts Club in New York City. I was honored to receive the Salmagundi award for the piece and to be juried into Signature membership in the PSA!
In November “Making the Connection” was included in the national show Renaissance in Pastels organized by the Connecticut Pastel Society, and held at the Slater Museum in Norwich, CT.
A huge thank you to all the galleries, organizations, and jurors for their support and recognition!
After a Great Run, Sold!
In November both “Making the Connection”, and “Mystic Meets Malden” were purchased by a collector. I was sorry to see them go, but am delighted they will be lived with and appreciated!
I am enjoying working on more paintings for upcoming shows in 2020. I am excited to see where this series will take me next, as I experiment with new images and techniques. In my opinion, winter is the best time to be in the Studio! I relish the season, a great time for experimentation and play.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday, and find time to reflect and make ready for the next direction in your creative journey!
Best Wishes for the new year,
Diane
Follow me on Instagram: dianereedsawyer1
Dear Ms. Sawyer, Would you be interested to coming to do a demonstration or teach a class in Shrewsbury? If…
Such a unique niche you have – love them all, but the more abstract ones are my faves. I want…
Thankyou for your note, it’s nice to know you also love sitting and watching the world.
DIANE REED SAWYER 
Love them!