"tiny" at STUDIO Gallery

My latest reading self-portrait is on view now at STUDIO Gallery as part of their annual tiny exhibition - all small works that are priced at $500 or under. Delighted to have the chance to create one of my gouache minis on an SF MUNI pass for my first SF group show since relocating to the Bay Area! If you are in the area, check it out - there are tons of small gems to start or grow your art collection!

The 2019 tiny exhibition is on view now until December 23rd, at STUDIO Gallery, 1641 Pacific (between Polk and Van Ness) in San Francisco. Gallery hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday from 11 am - 7 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 11 am - 6 pm, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment.

"Argentum: Contemporary Silverpoint" Exhibition

Thrilled to be part of Argentum: Contemporary Silverpoint, curated by the amazing silverpoint guru Lauren Amalia Redding. The exhibition will be on view at The Daughtrey Gallery at Hillsdale College in Michigan, from October 18th through November 20th 2019. This is the second exhibition of contemporary silverpoint drawings that Lauren has curated, the first of which was exhibited in NYC in 2017.

For this second exhibition, I wanted to focus again on women in politics. My piece for the first Argentum exhbition, 240 Year Heartbreak, was created as a response to the electoral college loss of America’s first major party female nominee for president. This piece, featuring Massachusetts senator and democratic primary hopeful Elizabeth Warren, intentionally strikes a more optimistic note. Shaped like a hand fan design and cut from a Warren campaign poster, Pinky Swear is the first of a series exploring the female presidential hopefuls of 2019.

On the campaign trail, Warren makes it a point to pinky-swear with little girls so they will always remember that running for president is “what girls do.” The gesture itself is coded as feminine, since it represents the kind of non-verbal lagnuage that young girls grow up using almost exclusively among themselves. A pinky swear is a promise, a commitment. None of these girls will be old enough to cast a vote for Warren in 2020, so the gesture is more of an affirmation for their potential than anything else; offered in a way that speaks to their shared experience of girlhood. It is a touching tradition, and one that could only have happened in a post-2016 election America.

The flowered decorations of the design are likewise culled from a feminine-coded language: the Victorian era “language of flowers.” White rosesbuds, for example, signify girlhood. Nasturtium symbolizes patriotism. This intensely feminine work will be on display alongside an incredible roster of artists, each working with silverpoint in their own way.

Participating artists include: James Xavier Barbour, Dina Brodsky, Carol Broman, Noah Buchanan, Lauren Caldarola, Luis Colan, Harvey Citron, Brad Davis, Joshua Henderson, Sam Knecht, Tom Mazzullo, Mary Anne McCarthy, Lauren Amalia Redding, Koo Schader, Edward Schmidt, Darryl Babatunde Smith, Jesse Stern, Dan Thompson and Cheryl Wheat

50/50 Project: #MeToo

The Sanchez Art Center Presents:

11th Annual 50/50 Show

August 30 - September 22, 2019

Juror: Catherine Clark, Catherine Clark Gallery

Preview Fundraiser: Fri, Aug. 30, 6 - 8pm / Open to public: 8 - 9:30pm

Take artworks home at time of purchase.

Gallery hours: Fri - Sun, 1 - 5pm & by appointment

Office hours: Tues - Thurs, 1 - 5pm

1220-B Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica, CA 94044

#metoo series portraits, gouache on paper, 1.5” square, 2019 by Diana Corvelle

This series of gouache portrait miniatures tells the #metoo stories of 50 individuals, myself included.  The text accompanying the portraits describes each person’s experience with sexual harassment and/or assault, reproduced exactly as it was shared with me.  [Please be aware that some text in this series contains descriptions of sexual violence and child molestation.]

The hashtag “#metoo” represents an online movement against sexual harassment and assault that uses personal stories to effect social change.  For this project, I held an open call for portrait volunteers through my Instagram page: the only requirement for participating was providing a selfie and a #metoo story. 

While the challenge of creating 50 works in as many days was an expected one, I could not have foreseen how this project would affect me personally.  The #metoo stories I received through the open call were heartrending.  Surprisingly few described sexual harassment, a majority described sexual assault or child molestation.  In most cases, my first introduction to that person was reading about their trauma.  How it feels to be entrusted with the painful experiences of perfect strangers remains impossible for me to express. 

By contrast, painting each 1½” portrait was a calming process.  Seeking likeness helped me see past the awful stories and focus instead on the individuals who survived them. Painting miniatures in general requires focus and care – in this case, the painting process marked another intimate point of connection between myself and my subjects. 

My focused painting time also allowed me space to consider who the individuals were that felt comfortable sharing their histories with me, as a group: majority women, majority white.  While my social media platform does likely appeal to the same group of which I am personally part of, I suspect that larger societal dynamics – those dictating who can share deeply personal information without risk of significant consequences – have also played a part in this result. 

As I continue processing this series, I will carry with me the stories and faces I have come to know and care for. The story I personally chose to share as part of this project took the potential impact on my personal and professional spheres into account; there are countless others I choose not to share publicly. That this series is even possible is proof that too many have experienced sexual harassment or assault, including #metoo.

Review: 8 Artists Who Are Absolutely Fearless

When I’m not busy in my studio, I’ll sometimes write about other artists making glorious things. Check out my article for The Blue Review, titled “8 Artists Who Are Absolutely Fearless,” for a quick introduction to some artist friends making mind-blowing works (featured here: David Pettibone, Carrie-Ann Bracco and Lisa Lebofsky). Keep an eye out for their wonderful work!

Carrie-Ann Bracco painting on location

Lisa Lebofsky painting glaciers on location

"Engagement" on Paddle8

One of my favorite large-scale pieces is now up for sale through the New York Academy of Art’s online storefront on Paddle8 — check it out, along with many more beautiful artworks by fellow NYAA alumni!

Engagement (detail), gouache on cut paper, 30” x 40” by Diana Corvelle

5 Emerging Artists You Might Not Know - But Should - From New York Frieze Week Fairs

Tickled pink to be one of the featured artists in the artnet piece, Here Are 5 Emerging Artists You Might Not Know - But Should - From New York Frieze Week Fairs! Big thank you to artnet and Eileen Kinsella for the feature, and to New York Academy of Art for the opportunity to show! Side note: If you haven’t yet read Kate Manne’s Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny, I cannot recommend it enough!

Art New York

Art New York is finally here! So happy to be showing with New York Academy of Art at Pier 94/Booth ANY307, as part of a special exhibition curated by Helena Christensen and David Kratz. My two mini gouache self-portraits will be in some truly excellent company - I hope you will stop by and take a peek!

Exhibition dates: Thursday, May 2nd - Sunday, May 5th

Location: Pier 94, 55th Street and West Side Highway, New York City

Fair Information: +1.800.376.5850 or info@art-miami.com

Image: Good and Mad, gouache on ballot stub, 2.625” x 3.25” 2019 by Diana Corvelle

"These Devastating Paintings Will Astonish Us All" - Review by Lauren Amalia Redding

Delighted to have the brilliant artist and writer Lauren Amalia Redding review my solo exhibition, Yes All Women, in a beautiful essay published on The Blue Review. Take a read, and let me know what you think!

Upcoming Solo Exhibition : Yes All Women

Mark your calendars, it’s almost here! This series of eye portraits has been a long time in the works, and I am so excited to be back in New York for the opening next month. Hope to see you there, friends!

Exhibition will be on view from April 8 - 26, 2019, at Dacia Gallery at 53 Stanton Street, New York, NY 10002.

Opening Reception on Thursday, April 11, from 6 - 9pm.

COLOSSAL Features Sketchbook Vol. 1

Sketchbook Vol. 1 at Sugarlift

Delighted to kick off 2019 with Sketchbook Vol. 1, curated by Dina Brodsky for Sugarlift! The exhibition features the work and sketchbooks of some of my favorite people: Dina Brodsky, Guno Park, Nicolas V. Sanchez, Evan Kitson, Ted Schmidt, Joshua Henderson and Marshall Jones … as well as artists I’ve admired for years but haven’t met yet, like Dilleen Marsh and Paul Heaston. So if you’re in New York, head over to the opening of Sketchbook Vol. 1 on Saturday, January 19th from 2-6pm at Sugarlift where Dina, Guno and Joshua will be on hand to do some Q&A while you riffle through a pile of amazing sketchbooks. Also please hug everyone for me since I’ll be in California for the opening and I miss them! (Just kidding, I respect your bodily autonomy, definitely only hug people if you want to.) Happy new year, friends!

Art Miami

So excited to have work in Art Miami this year, as part of the New York Academy of Art’s booth curated by David Kratz and Brooke Shields — check out the exhibiting works from NYAA alumni online, or plan your visit in person. For anyone planning to attend, don’t miss David and Brooke’s curators talk from 5:00 - 6:30pm at Booth Partner 1 in the Art Miami Pavillion on December 6th!

@ArtistsVote2018 Midterm Election Instagram Art Giveaway!

Hey there, eligible voters! I’m excited to be partnering with @ArtistsVote2018 on Instagram to give away some of my ballot stub paintings to folks who vote in this November’s midterm election. Anyone with an Instagram account can enter - just tag #ArtistsVote2018 in your midterm election voting pic or selfie on Instagram to be entered to win my work and others!

I’m donating a total of four original works to the giveaway (all painted on my actual ballot stubs) - two ballot stub “voting selfie” paintings, one ballot stub self-portrait reading Not That Bad - Dispatches from Rape Culture edited by Roxane Gay (this painting comes with a copy of the book) and a fourth ballot stub miniature portrait that I will paint of one lucky winner’s Nov. 6th voting selfie! Please help me spread the word about this fantastic giveaway, check to see if you are registered to vote, and make sure your voice is heard on Nov. 6th!

Savvy Painter Podcast Interview!

Happy to share that my interview with Antrese Wood for the Savvy Painter Podcast is now live!  I listen to the Savvy Painter in my studio all the time, so it was a real treat to chat with Antrese as her guest on one of my favorite podcasts.  Take a listen if you want to hear about my art practice, teaching, and my latest "lover's eye" series - with lots of silliness in between, of course! 

Upcoming 2-Day Watercolor Workshop at Sadie Valeri Atelier, April 28-29th

Gearing up for my 2-day Watercolor Workshop at Sadie Valeri Atelier on Saturday, April 28th & Sunday, April 29th from 10am-5pm.  We'll delve into a variety of techniques for working with watercolor, and what makes the medium so versatile and fun.  I bring my travel Winsor & Newton watercolor kit with me everywhere - like Cornwall, for instance - and am really excited to share my love of the medium with folks at Sadie's beautiful San Francisco studio.  See you there!

Cornwall sketch, watercolor and gouache in sketchbook, 3.5" x 5.5", 2017 Diana Corvelle

Artists on Art Magazine: March/April 2018

The March/April 2018 issue of Artists on Art is here!  For the second installment of my two-part series, "Art in the New Political Age," I interviewed two remarkably talented artists, figurative painter Cara DeAngelis and interdisciplinary artist ER de Grey.  We spoke candidly about the current political landscape and how it has impacted their art practice, as well as the specific pressing issues their work addresses.  It was an honor to share my conversations with two incredibly engaged and thoughtful artists with the Artists on Art readership, and I hope you will give it a read!

Artists on Art Magazine: December 2017

Excited to share that my article, "Art in the New Political Age: Part I," will be part of the December 2017 issue of Artists on Art Magazine!  In the first of this two-part series, I discuss how political and social issues have become more important in my own work.  The centerpiece of the article, however, are my interviews with two figurative artists I deeply admire, about how the current political climate affects their creative process: fabric artist Alice Beasley and fellow cut-paper artist Fidencio Fifield-Perez.  I look forward to sharing Part II with you next year!

Joining Sadie Valeri Atelier in July!

Super excited to be joining with Sadie Valeri Atelier to teach at Sadie's beautiful San Francisco studio this summer!  Starting in July,  I will be teaching two 6 week classes, Drawing for Beginners and Introduction to Watercolor, on Sundays.  Starting in September, we will be adding the 6 week Sunday class Teen Portfolio Prep to the mix.  Click through to check out the course descriptions and to register, and spread the word to your Bay Area friends!

Argentum: Contemporary Silverpoint opening at Marbury NYC

Thrilled to take part of this remarkable silverpoint exhibition, curated by my girl Lauren Amalia Redding.  Any folks on the east coast should definitely make time to see this gem (and post photos online for us newly minted California girls!):

"In an age of ever-increasing automation, many artists are exploring this complex and challenging medium which was often employed by masters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt. This exhibition presents a survey of silverpoint drawings made by a diverse array of representational artists. Some artists use the medium exclusively, some occasionally, and some experimentally. All are united by a strong commitment to skill and draughtsmanship, yet some employ silverpoint unconventionally: amongst figurative drawings, there are cut-paper pieces, antique lockets, cloudscapes, and the chronicling of Latino and Middle Eastern cultural experiences."

Featured artists: Dennis Angel, James Xavier Barbour, Lisa Bartolozzi, Noah Buchanan, Lauren Caldarola, Sherry Camhy, Harvey Citron, Casey Concelmo, Jeannine Cook, Diana Corvelle, Steven DaLuz, Randall DiGiuseppe, Lori Field, Evan Kitson, Sam Knecht, Aimi Li, Shanga Manning, Tom Mazzullo, Mary Anne McCarthy, Walter Meigs (1918-1988, courtesy Harmon-Meek Gallery), Lauren Amalia Redding, Raphael Sassi, Edward Schmidt, Laura Shechter, Ben Shechter (1940-2016, courtesy Laura Shechter), Dan Thompson, Cheryl Wheat, and Joseph Ventura.

Argentum: Contemporary Silverpoint runs from April 28th - May 12th, 2017 at Marbury NYC, with an opening reception on Saturday, April 29th, from 6:00-9:00 PM.  A silverpoint workshop instructed by Lauren Amalia Redding will be held at Marbury NYC the weekend of May 6th and 7th, 2017.  An exhibition catalogue with a foreword by Susan Schwalb, the foremost metalpoint artist working today, will be available as print-on-demand and an eBook.  Marbury NYC is open by appointment only or during drawing sessions and is located at 26 Gramercy Park South, Suite 9G in Manhattan.

240 Year Heartbreak, silverpoint on cut paper, 5"x7", 2017 Diana Corvelle

SIGHT UNSEEN: Opening at Abend Gallery February 24, 2017

Artists have long created works based on the observations of what they see. I am interested in sharing representational works that look beneath the realities of the surface and reveal a greater, hidden significance. These artists will be peering at the mercurial boundary between the known and the unknown. It is in this space between, that the vibration of life, of existence cannot be seen but can be felt. How do you represent what you cannot see? How do you paint, draw or sculpt thought or emotion, the human spirit or the supernatural? - Alia El-Bermani

Alia El-Bermani's curatorial project Sight Unseen will be featured both in print through Didi Menendez's PoetsArtists Magazine and at Abend Gallery in Denver, Colorodo, opening later this month.  The project features the work of over 80 artists, and I am thrilled to participate among so many wonderful friends!

Participating artists: Mark Adams, Meg Aiken, Daliah Ammar, Anna Rose Bain, Adrian Baker, Debra Balchen, Alla Bartoshchuk, Mia Bergeron, Melinda Borysevicz, Kate Bradley, Linda Tracey Brandon, August Burns, Ali Cavanaugh, Stephen Cefalo, Matthew Cherry, Mary Chiaramonte, Lea Ciceraro, Erica Elan Ciganek, Aaron Coberly, Scott Conary, Rachel Constantine, Ellen Cooper, Diana Corvelle, Anthony Cramer, Angela Cunningham, J. Adam Davis, Stephanie Deshpande, Ellen Eagle, Averi Endow, Kiki Farish, Diane Feissel, Zoey Frank, Santiago Galeas, Christopher Gallego, Sergio Gomez, Amanda Greive, Brett Harvey, Catherine Haverkamp, Nancy Hollinghurst, Felice House, Jason John, Eric Johnson, Karen Kaapcke, Andrea Kemp, Stanka Kordic, Maria Kreyn, Francien Krieg, Megan Larmie, Shana Levenson, Amber Lia-Kloppel, Diana Lomeihing, Carlos Lopez, Julie Madelmont, John McLeod, Michael Meadors, Edward Minoff, Iliya Mirochnik, Paul Mordetsky, Karen Offutt, Elizabeth Claire Ospina, Tatyana Ostapenko, Judith Peck, Joyce Polance, Alicia N. Ponzio, Serena Potter, Catherine Prescott, Richard Price, Manu Saluja, Marc Scheff, Christy Schwathe, David Shevlino, Cynthia Sitton, Alexander Soukas, Geoffrey Stein, Ann Moeller Steverson, Judy Takacs, Matt Talbert, Stefani Tewes, Lauren Tilden, Alexandra Tyng, Michael Van Zeyl, Melinda Whitmore and Elizabeth Zanzinger.

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