Whether it is the sight of a family building snowmen during the Christmas season, a boy carrying a pair of lambs, or a small girl admiring a flight of butterflies, the joy found in artist Diane Graebner's paintings is contagious. A tiny flame is kindled deep inside the soul, sparked by the familiarity found in the views of everyday life her images portray and before you know it, the smile on your face is as bright and warm as a ray of summer sunshine.

Graebner is best known for prints which depict the lifestyle of the Amish people where Diane lives in Ohio. "As you drive around the Ohio countryside, everywhere you look you see families working together. The children may be picking strawberries or tending the animals while the adults are busy with more difficult tasks. They cause me to recall many special moments in my own family relationships, and these memories are the inspiration for my paintings."

Diane respects the Amish and their wishes, and therefore does not paint their facial features. The Amish belief is that one is to be humble, and not arrogant. Having a likeness of ones self is not being humble in the eyes of God.

For Graebner, inspiration seems to be everywhere. She is especially aware vvhen watching children. "I try to see my envionment through the eyes of a child. For this reason, my subjects are not limited to the Amish. What I am seeking to convey is the innocence and wonder that is associated with childhood. It is the idea of everything being new, fresh and exciting, as if you were seeing it for the first time."

   GALLERY REPRESENTATION  
Represented in galleries throughout the United States.  Among them are Gallery One in Mentor, Ohio, Galarina Arts in Shipshewana, Indiana, and Berlin Creek Gallery in Berlin, Ohio.....and more.  
   ART SHOW INVITATIONS    
Gallery One Miniature Show
Wild Wings Miniature Show
Arts for the Parks National Show
Western National Parks association---private invitational exhibition. 
   MAGAZINE ARTICLES
Have been featured in and on the front cover of many arts magazines.  INFORMART, COLLECTORS NEWS, COLLECTORS EDITIONS, U.S. ART, and others
   COLLECTIONS
Her paintings are in public and private collections throughout the United States, and Canada.  Among them are the Old Phoenix National banks in Ohio, and the Ohio State Teachers retirement building in Columbus, Ohio.  
   AWARDS AND CITATIONS
St.George, Utah, first place in their Watercolor Society Show, 2005
Voted one of the top 10 Americana Artists in the United States in 1989 by Collectors Mart Magazine
Cited as emerging new U.S. artist by Virginian Magazine in 1989
Arts for the Parks National Competition, chosen in the top 200
   DESIGNER
Has designed over 160 cross stitch designs which are sold world-wide
   TEACHER
 Taught high school art for 16 years, Visual arts at Tuacahn High School for the performing arts in St.George, Utah, arts at Dixie State College in St.George, and now teaches at many adult venues throughout the United States
   SCHOOLING 
 A graduate of Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, and Idraetshojskolen, in Sonderborg, Denmark