We recently had the chance to connect with Diane Bombshelter and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Diane, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Wildlife observation especially raptors and squirrels. I initially got hooked on nest cams by watching the Friends of Big Bear Valley Nest Cam. I watched 2 eaglets grow up until their very first fledge. What made it interesting to me was that Big Bear Lake is only an hour away from where I live. I actually drove there and observed the eaglets in their nest from a safe distance with my binoculars. Now that the eaglets have fledged, I have turned my attention to Squirrel cams. I have an affinity with squirrels and I even have a squirrel cafe in my yard where I can observe them in real life. I find observing wildlife this intimately very meditative.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Velvet painting must be witnessed in person as art to be truly experienced. Digital images are a part of today’s pop art and their graphics have cultural relevance however, this is expanded exponentially by the textural quality and intimacy of the first hand velvet art experience. The interaction of light on velvet paintings is unique to an amazing sensory delight that is unequaled. This deeper experience with velvet art can be preserved in our throw-away digital times by you the individual. The perfect soul of art is VELVET.
When I started studying black velvet painting, I came across paintings by Edgar Leeteg. He mostly painted portraits of Tahitian people using chiaroscuro with stunning effect. In my work, I am trying to change people’s perception of black velvet art just as Leeteg’s work affected mine.
I began teaching myself velvet painting in 2007 and I made a pilgrimage to The Velveteria Museum of Velvet Paintings in 2008 which was a life-changing experience. Hundreds of velvet paintings covered their walls in all different styles. I discovered other masters such as Cece Rodriguez, Daniel Guerrero, Burke Tyree and Louis Behan. 15 years later, several of my pieces are part of The Velveteria’s collection.
My work has been shown in Tucson, Bisbee, Phoenix, Mexico, Colorado, Los Angeles, Oakland, Miami, San Diego and Joshua Tree.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I was told art is for people that were too dumb to do anything else. It wasn’t “real” work and there was no security in it. Even though I liked to draw, there was no way I was ever going to make a living at it so don’t even try. I bought into it and spent almost 25 years working in soul-sucking cubicle jobs. When I finally broke free, I began to flourish in many aspects of my life.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You are a good person and you deserve to be loved. Your are free to pursue your dreams.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Everybody wants to be loved. Compassion is fundamental to well-being.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am in nature, whether a forest or a beach. I can tap into that anytime with my meditation practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dianebombshelterart.com
- Instagram: @blackvelvetbombshelter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianebombshelterart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dianebombshelter
- Other: https://www.bombshelteralleyband.com
Image Credits
Diane Bombshelter
