Diane Metzger

I have been involved in visual arts, especially painting, all my life.

My current work is semi-abstract and spontaneous, using a variety of mediums--paints, inks, pencils, coloured papers, textiles and found materials of all kinds--to explore the effects of line, colour and the expressive fluidity of paint.

I am inspired by traditional brush calligraphy and its free expression as art. Exploring gestures of brush and ink on paper as a meditative discipline grounds my work and opens to infinite possibilities.

I prefer working spontaneously, which allows something fresh and unexpected to come through.

MEDIUMS USED

I work in a variety of visual art mediums, including gouache, watercolours, sumi ink, acrylics, collage, coloured and printed papers, fabrics, recycled materials and mixed media.

VISUAL ARTS TRAINING AND STUDY

Education Summary: Contemporary Western art forms; traditional Eastern and contemporary contemplative arts, including brush calligraphy, ikebana (traditional Japanese flower arranging), contemplative photography; and handcrafts, including fabric, stained glass, and soft leather (design and construction).

Dharma art teachings and approaches: independent study; 1988 -.present.
Compassionate Brush: Big brush calligraphy workshop with Barbara Bash, Halifax, NS, July 2023.
Art2Life Creative Visionary Program (CVP 2019): 12-wk. intensive painting course; completed August 2019.
Trainings in traditional brush- and big-brush calligraphy with Kasuaki Tanahashi, brush calligrapher-artist, and others; mid-2011 - 2018.
Ikebana (the art of Japanese flower arranging), study and practice.
Contemplative photography course; Halifax, NS, 2012.
Aqueous Media Painting, series of classes; Halifax, NS, 1990s.
Dharma Art Seminars of Chögyam Trungpa: teachings and integrative practices. Boulder, CO, 1978 - 1987

ART SCHOOL COURSES

Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Extended Studies classes: Life Drawing, Intermediate Drawing, Art Education M.A. class.

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Naropa University, Boulde...

Visual Arts Nova Scotia online e-studio: artist page: https://visualarts.ns.ca/artist-pages/diane-metzger/.
Art in a Box group exhibit: Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS; 2008.
Art Sales & Rental Gallery at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS; 2005.
Paper Chase Exhibition: The Plastics Club, Philadelphia, PA; 2003.
Bogside group exhibit: Bogside Gallery, Halifax, NS; 2002.
Art Is a Gift of Love group exhibit: Coburg Gallery, Halifax, NS; 1999.
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Gallery Shop; 1997.
Secord Gallery group exhibit: Secord Gallery, Halifax, NS; 1997.
The artist's work is in private collections in the U.S. and Canada.