Florida Artists Group

Artists Bio:

Diane Chencharick has a long background in the arts. She enjoyed a successful career in advertising and design, with more than 30 years as a graphic designer, art director and creative director. She experienced the transition from hand drawing to digital and took up watercolor as a form of creative expression beyond the computer. She has mentored numerous artists, developing their creativity, honing their design skills and teaching effective use of contrast and color.

While watercolor continues to be her preferred medium, she works in all forms of water-based media. She is known for her strong use of color and keen sense of design and shows her award-winning work in galleries, as well as many exhibitions. She is active in many watercolor organizations and served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Water Color Society for more than 15 years before making Florida her permanent home.

Diane currently teaches experimental watermedia techniques and design at the Venice Art Center. Her unique classes and workshops draw not only from her technical skills as an artist, but from her leadership background and zen training, helping artists overcome self-limiting behaviors that keep them stuck in old patterns.

“I believe that making art is not just a mastery of technique, but something that comes through you almost effortlessly when you can get our of your head and let things naturally flow.”

Artist Statement:

I believe that art can be an excellent catalyst for personal growth. “Great art comes THROUGH you, not FROM you,” is what I tell all my students. Something I have learned many times through my own zen training. It is from this state of “samadhi” I do my best work. It flows from me and I give it life, not just in the perfectionism of technique, but through authenticity itself. It makes the difference between art being self-serving vs. art serving others.

The payoff is that the world opens up and responds to this authenticity. Art, like nature and meditation, plays an important role in shaking people out of their normal state of mind-busyness and makes them feel. It brings them right into the present moment where they are captured by the essence of the piece and their whole self says “WOW!” And in that moment, when one deeply connects with the piece, we become aware of all that is possible – in art, in our lives, in the world. Never underestimate the power of art!

Exhibitions:

2018          Intermix, Englewood Art Center, Englewood, FL
2018          Members Show, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2018          Hot, Hot, Hot, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2018           Real – Not Real, Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL
2018          Spring Members Show, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2018           Fine Art Show and Sale, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2018           Art From The Heart, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2018           Earth. Wind. Fire, Water, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2017           New and Now, Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL
2017           First Impressions, Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL
2017           Branching Out, Venice Art Center, Venice, FL
2017           Spring Members Exhibition, Venice Art Center, Venice, FL
2017           It’s Surreal, Venice Art Center, Venice, FL
2017           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Crooked Tree Art Ctr., Traverse City, MI
2017           Fall Members Exhibition, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2017           Mini Exhibition, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2017           Abstract Show, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2017           AAWA Juried Fall Exhibition, Ann Arbor, MI
2017           AAWA Juried Winter Exhibition, Ann Arbor, MI
2016           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson, MI
2016           Venice Art Center Members Exhibition, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2015           Norma Gray Exhibition, Brighton Library, Brighton, MI
2015           Our Town Art Show and Sale, Birmingham Community Center, Birmingham, MI 2015 Venice Art                     Center Abstract Exhibition, Venice Art Center, Venice, FL
2015           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Jewish Conm Ctr, W. Bloomfield, MI
2014           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Flint Arts Council, Flint, MI
2014           Venice Art Center Members Exhibition, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2013           Our Town Art Show and Sale, Birmingham Community Center, Birmingham, MI
2013           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, The Oliver Arts Center, Frankfort MI
2009           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Museum of Art, Muskegon MI
2008           Our Town Art Show and Sale, Birmingham Community Center, Birmingham, MI
2008           U of M Art Museum Project, Alfred Berkowitz Gallery, Dearborn, MI
2003           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson, MI
2007           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
2006           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Studio 23, Bay City, MI
2005           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Crooked Tree Art Center, Petoskey, MI
2004          Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, BBAC, Birmingham, MI
2003           Michigan Water Color Society Exhibition, Center For The Arts, Midland, MI

Solo Exhibitions:

2017          Venice Theater Gallery, January 7 – February 5th

Awards:

2018           Third Place, Members Show, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2018           Merit Award, Real- Not Real, Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL
2017           MWCS Award, MWCS Annual Exhibition, Traverse City, MI
2017           Merit Award, Fall Members Exhibition, Venice Art Center, Venice FL
2016           Peoples Choice Award, AAWA Fall Show, Ann Arbor, MI
2016           Peoples Choice Award, AAWA Winter Show, Ann Arbor, MI
2014           Venice Artfest Poster Contest Winner
2013           Gold Award. Our Town Art Show and Sale
2007           Jurors Award, MWCS Annual Exhibition, Birmingham MI

Galleries:

Collector’s Gallery, Venice FL  2018 - Present
The Alberta House, Sault Saint Marie, MI 2017-Present
The Shipwreck Museum, Paradise, MI 2017 - Present
The Cary Gallery, Rochester, MI 2003-2004
The Rogue Gallery, Charlotte, NC 2004-2006

Juror:
2017 Art At The Library, The Norma Gray Gallery

 

Speaking Engagements:

Overcoming The Fears That Hold Artists Back
September 7, 2016, Brighton Art Guild, Brighton Public Library, Brighton MI
September 15, 2015, MWCS Annual Meeting, West Bloomfield Public Library, MI

Education:

Associate Degree in Commercial Art, Ferris University, Big Rapids, MI

 

Workshops and Classes
Creating Fearlessly In Watercolor    
     October, 2015 – Ashland, OR
     March, 2016 – Venice Art Center, Venice, FL

Creating Fearlessly in Watermedia
     January – May 2018, Venice Art Center, Venice, FL
     January – May 2017, Venice Art Center, Venice, FL

Design Principles For Better Paintings
     January – May 2018, Venice Art Center, Venice, FL
     January – May 2017, Venice Art Center, Venice, FL