Diana Young has been “making pictures” for as long as she can remember. She says that at a very early age she was praised for all her efforts, and since that early encouragement, she has approached her work with cheerful certainty. That she has been creating art with enthusiasm for eight decades is evident in the energy captured in her work.

When asked to describe her paintings, the prolific artist says that as she has grown older and more analytical, her work has evolved towards an emphasis of line, direction and force. Her focus now, working in both acrylic and tempera, is on motion rather than on a point or an object, she prefers a dynamic interlocking of shapes to attempts at realism. Diana also prefers to paint in outdoor locations, using the locale as a point of departure as opposed to a study in nature. She likes to find the “kernel of a place” and finds joy in rearranging the elements of the landscape.  They are energetic, detailed accounts of her experience of particular places. She does not always choose the obviously picturesque, but instead angles, corners and forgotten details come alive on her paper through her profound sense of place. The works are small but definitely represent very large ideas.

Originally from New Haven, Connecticut, Diana spent her summers in Stonington, Connecticut and West Boothbay, Maine. She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1957. After living briefly in New Jersey and Virginia, she and her late husband, noted forensic chemist James Young, moved to Istanbul, Turkey where they resided for three years. They moved to Biddeford Pool in 1967. She now lives in Bangor, Maine and summers in Eastport.

Diana is an active member of several art foundations and organizations, including the Bangor Art Society and Boothbay Region Art Foundation. Throughout her career she has displayed her paintings extensively in New England and has won many awards including second place in the 2010 All Maine Juried Show at BRAF. Her work has been featured in Psychology Today magazine and the centerfold painting in Carl Little’s book "The Art Of Monhegan" is her painting “Artist’s Attic,” keeping good company with
Rockwell Kent, Edward Hopper.

She has had one woman shows at the Island Institute, Gold/Smith Gallery and The Eastport Gallery as well as countless others. She has been painting her joyous imagery for over 80 years and now nearly 90 she hasn’t slowed down or skipped a beat. Her exuberant and joy filled paintings are the stuff sweet dreams are made from. She has never lost her sense of wonder whether its a seaside retreat along the shore in Eastport, Maine, gazing at at a Venetian canal scene or a Turkish minaret skyline. Her joy of place fills her canvases with colors that make everyone feel glad they’re there.

There will be a reception for the new exhibit at the gallery Saturday, June 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to come and enjoy this marvelous new show, “So Happy you Came,” featured at Gold/Smith Gallery June 18 to July 21. 

Gold/Smith Gallery, now in its 51st year, is located at 8 McKown St.., Boothbay Harbor, Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays noon until 5 p.m. For more information the gallery can be reached at 207-633-6252 or www.goldsmithgallery.net.