Diane Gelman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Diane, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I almost always lose track of time when I’m creating art. I used to “boss my artwork around” and stuck with what I originally envisioned. Over time, I learned to let go and “listen” to the piece and make adjustments continuously, as it comes to life. I love making cohesive, exciting, and colorful artwork. It’s very fulfilling to envision a piece and then bring it to completion.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Diane Gelman. I’m a mixed media artist Much of my artworks are hyper-realistic food sculptures and paintings with an exciting 3 dimensional aspect with collage, adding depth and interest. I specialize in Food-based artwork, since I am also an avid Foodie, with a Master’s Degree in Nutrition.
I especially enjoy creating paintings of rows of desserts in glass cases complete with air vents, chrome and mirrors.. I have invented my own special techniques for making my painted and collaged baked goods look so real that the viewer is tempted to reach into my artwork piece for some delicacy. I have made groups of paintings featuring supersized candy wrappers with some candies spilling out. I have studied vegetables too, creating 3 dimensional rainbow carrots. tuscan kale, beets and more from hand carved foam core board, paper and string. I invented my own technique of capturing the look of real vegetable greens by tracing over multiple images with my glue gun. I found that I could transfer all of the information in hot glue to create a 3 dimensional colored image. The end result is a supersized bunch of faux vegetables, that actually look real, since Nature is the best artist there is.
I began making giant food sculptures during the pandemic (when I was limited to working from home). I have created a smorgasbord of oversized food sculptures, some wall hanging and some with integrated stands so they stand alone. I hand sculpt recycled styrofoam, add paint, resin, and other materials,. I have created an entire array of ice cream bars and popsicles, complete with wooden sticks, and large bites removed, all covered with hard shiny resin to totally look like giant versions of the real thing. I have an assortment of hand crafted 24”round x 9”h Donuts, some with sprinkles, cherry icing, chocolate icing and many more. My favorite one is a Vegetable Mannequin, “The Salad Lover”, made with paper, styrofoam, string, and more.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents were great role models for hard work. My parents ran a business together. Their Auto Parts Export business was their life work, besides raising my brother and me. Both my parents were great role models for keeping up a daily routine. My Mother was very unusual for the time, since she started working full time when I was 5 years old. She and My Father both had MBA’s. My Mother couldn’t wait to get to work as she really enjoyed business and disliked sewing circles and volunteer work, like her friends did. My Father also instilled the value of daily exercise as a great counterbalance to a hard, driving life.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I often felt like giving up when I attended art school. I started taking art classes for fun but I discovered that I am really competitive. I often despaired because when I compared my abilities with my classmates, because I usually felt inferior. I didn’t think that I had as much talent as many of them and it weighed on me. I found my voice when I started making art full time. I also learned how to become a better artist by endless study, hard work and tons of practice.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I love to share food. I love to make food and nourish my family and friends with the most utterly delicious versions of everything I create. Art making about Food was a natural extension of this love of great food.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Yes, I’m doing what I was born to do! I am food obsessed and have been this way my whole life. My Dad (who was the major cook in our family) started teaching me to bake when I very little – 5 I think. I always loved to eat but my love of food was beyond just eating for me. I remember thinking about being locked into a bakery overnight, that my Dad frequented with me. I think that it was the idea of communing with all that beauty – all night long -on top of eating all the cookies that I wanted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dianegelman.com
- Instagram: dianegelman
- Facebook: DianeGelmanart
