Diana Woods

Diana Woods is a painter and sculptor living in Western Colorado, inspired by her surroundings on the border of the Colorado National Monument. Her work reflects her deep belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the divine spirit in nature. Woods received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and a minor in art history and equestrian studies from William Woods College. 

Originally from Nebraska, the stories and inspiration behind her work stem from her childhood memories “growing up on the back of a horse” and her grandfather’s tall tales of the Wild West. The results are rich in narrative and allegorical imagery that illustrate the parallels between human experience and the natural world. Riding her horse in the canyons is Diana's form of meditation and the herds of wild horses on the Little Book Cliffs range near her home spark her imagination. Myths and archetypal symbols often surround the stories in her work.  

Inspired by the Abstract Expressionist movement, Woods’ paintings are filled with layers of texture, luminous color, drips and gestural brushstrokes. Combining abstract elements with realism adds a dimension of contrast between the animals and their dreamlike surroundings. Using various materials such as oils, acrylics, collage, and cold wax, she works quickly on a wood surface, allowing the images to emerge intuitively. In the last decade, Woods has expanded her creative repertoire to include sculpture, utilizing bronze as well as found objects.