I am so honored to have received the People’s Choice Award for my painting “We Are the Seeds” from the Oregon Art Center’s Oil Media Exhibition! This painting is very meaningful to me, and I’m happy that it resonates with so many people. Thank you to OAC and to everyone who voted for my painting! Limited edition prints are available at https://www.dianerussell.net/portfolio/we-are-the-seeds/.

Artist Comment: This painting was years in the making, starting with a photo I took of my daughter at the Women’s March in 2017 in Portland Oregon. The look on her face was powerful, and I knew that someday I would do a painting from that reference photo. Fast forward to the past few years, and I felt the need to finally paint what I have been feeling about all that has transpired in this country. I realized that I do have a voice in my paints and brushes, and after about nine months of work, “We Are The Seeds” was born. On the sign my daughter was holding is a quote from the Greek poet, Dinos Christianopoulos, who was silenced in the 1970’s because he was gay. The quote holds a broader meaning to me in that no matter how anyone is silenced or oppressed, they will ultimately rise up again and flourish. And that it is up to everyone to lay the seeds for the future of our country and our world, one small act at a time. I am both sad and hopeful, and determined to do what I can to make this world a better place… for everyone.