A reception, presented by the Snellville Arts Commission, featuring the artists’ work will take place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. March 8. The gallery, located in the City Hall Community Room, 2342 Oak Road, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Biggee, a multi-award-winning artist, has gained recognition with her ability to capture light and reflection in vivid landscapes. A representational artist with an emphasis in oils and pastels, Biggee’s works are inspired by the expressed beauty in nature, she said. A resident of Georgia, Biggee has been an artist since childhood.
Winner of many national juried exhibition awards and honors, and signature member of the Southeastern Pastel Society, Oil Painters of America, Pastel Society of America, Atlanta Artists Center and various other local and national art organizations, Biggee has developed her national reputation. In 2014, Biggee received the Master Circle designation with the International Association of Pastel Societies. Her works have been published in national magazines including, The Artists Magazine and The Pastel Journal. Her work has been shown throughout the U.S. and can be found in both private and corporate collections.
Thurmon’s philosophy is, “I paint because I must.”
“Art has become so much a part of who I wish to be that when I am not in the midst of creating a piece I am probably visualizing another in my mind,” she said. “There’s a sign in my studio that proclaims ‘This is my Happy Place’ and that’s very, very true.”
Being drawn to nature and its innate beauty, the Grayson artist said her subject matter is quite diversified. For years she painted animal and pet portraits primarily, but landscapes, figures and even abstract forms are often in her repertoire now. Being an eager and frequent traveler, Thurmon always packs a sketchbook and camera to record memorable moments and scenes. Most observers of her work comment on the strong, vibrant colors that she is not hesitant to use. Lately she has been working mostly in acrylics and some collage, but has created works in many other mediums over the years.
In the more than half a century Diana has been painting, she’s accumulated her share of awards and ribbons and her works are found in collections in the Midwest and the South. She has illustrated three books including the award-winning “Story of a Lifetime”. Mostly self-taught, she now teaches adults in her Grayson studio on a limited basis. She is a member of Art Station in Stone Mountain and Kudzu Art Zone in Norcross.
The work of these artists will be on display until the end of April.
