Artist Diana Russell Boyd approaches her painting with a heart tuned to essence, and a mind’s eye to slight abstraction of her subject matter. This approach entices the viewer to explore her artwork, not to just merely “look.” Says Boyd, ”I want my art to invite participation. I feel a little less detail on my part brings out a little more creative engagement on the part of the viewer. Too much information can spoil the power of the brush to speak and can break down strong shapes as well as powerful compositions.“ With loose, expressive strokes as her signature style, Boyd’s paintings herald an obvious boldness, full of spirit and mood. Favorite subjects include domestic animals, still life and local rural scenes; all rendered primarily in the richness of oil paint.

Diana Boyd grew up on the San Francisco Peninsula, and studied Fine Art at Humboldt State University where she met her husband and eventually relocated to San Diego. After twenty years in Southern California the Boyd family decided to make their dream of moving to a more rural setting a reality, and found a ranch on the outskirts of Sonora. At this point, with the children getting older Boyd was able to get back to the art career she had started so long ago, first working in watercolor, moving later into acrylics, oils, and even clay.
Time has passed quickly since then.Ten years later Diana Boyd is still enjoying her lifestyle on the ranch, and painting the creatures and scenery that surround her. One of the historic barns on their property has become her studio while she and her family are in the process of building their own ”off the grid” straw bale home. Diana and her family share their ranch with several horses, a donkey, llamas, chickens, dogs, cats, and even a pot bellied pig. Never a dull moment, and never a lack of subject matter!

“I feel very fortunate for the life I lead, the privilege of being able to do what I love in such a beautiful environment, and sharing this through my artwork.”