Dianne Conrad, Art Facilitator and artist, from Miniota will be tentatively publishing a children’s book by the end of 2017.
The book titled “Dama Grows” will feature ten of Conrad’s paintings, and is written in rhyme by Conrad herself. The 32 page story, started in 2015, is about a deer that makes a wish, and his antlers start to grow like a tree.
The book will be published through a process called crowd funding. When the book is complete people can ordered it through Conrad’s website, and once enough people have ordered the book it will be published.
Conrad attended the University of Manitoba where in 2010 she received a four year Fine Arts degree. Prior to that, she started painting in 2007. Conrad paints with oil, acrylic, water colour, and draws with charcoal.
Teaching art for the last three years, in schools at Hamiota, Miniota, and at an after school art program at Oak River keeps Conrad busy during the school year. She teaches art through a program called “Arts Smarts” of the Manitoba Arts Council. Depending on the theme of the school curriculum, Conrad works with the teachers to integrate drawing, painting, and sculpture.
As an Art Facilitator, Conrad says, “I really like to inspire others and show them they are capable too.” She adds that she enjoys getting other people’s creative juices flowing.
Conrad loves to paint large paintings. Most of the paintings on her walls at home are four feet by three feet. “I prefer to paint larger paintings because they allow me to really get into the painting, and I like to do lots of detail in my work,” says Conrad.
She enjoys the process of creating her paintings, being in the moment, and in the flow. Conrad says her paintings are a whimsical symbolism of different animals and plant life. They capture the magic and essence of nature and wildlife.
Just walking among the large paintings whisks a person into a fairytale state of mind. The paintings are indeed detailed. They are full of vibrant and yet somehow soft colors. Conrad’s paintings are very appealing to the eye. One large painting takes Conrad between 20 and 30 hours to complete.
In her spare time, Conrad hikes with her Bernese Mountain Dog Heidi. She enjoys being out in nature and says it inspires her art.
Conrad has been a board member of the Mid-West Arts Council out of Hamiota since 2015. She is currently painting a mural in the children’s section of the Birtle library, and does commission paintings, mostly of pets and children.
Her art has been displayed at the Arts Mosaic in Virden, the Hamiota Heritage Arts Centre, and at the annual “Gallery in the Garden” out of Birtle.
Conrad leads Painting Parties at the Hamiota Heritage Arts Centre, which will be starting up again this fall. She also takes bookings for private Painting Parties for such events as birthdays, wedding or baby showers, and staff parties.
Conrad can be reached through her website at www.dianneconrad.comfor bookings, commissions, or soon to order her children’s book “Dama Grows”.
