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Diana Woods is a painter and sculptor living in Western Colorado, inspired by her surroundings on the border of the Colorado National Monument and her grandfather’s “tall tales” of the West and similar folklore. Her work reflects her deep belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the divine spirit in nature. Woods’ work is rich in narrative and allegorical imagery that illustrate the parallels between human experience and the natural world.
New arrivals by Diana Woods featured in “Imaginative Narratives” tell the story of ravens and bears connection in nature and the spirit world, playful “Bruno” posing for a selfie, the story of a “fox wedding,” and the imaginative moment inspired by Lyle Lovett’s “If I Had a Boat.” Enjoy the works and stories from Diana Woods below.
As always, I’m keenly interested in the connections wild creatures have with one another. I also find folklore about these relationships fascinating. Across many cultures, Ravens inspire countless stories and legends. Many believe they are messengers between this world and the otherworld. The bear symbolizes rebirth because of its hibernation and re-emergence into the world. Through the long hibernation, he also visits a type of otherworld… the world of dreams.
Entertained by the story about the bear in Rocky Mountain National Park that took over 400 selfies with the wildlife camera, I had to paint this inquisitive bear!
When the sun is shining and it’s raining at the same time, it produces an atmospheric light of sun showers. People say, “the foxes must be having a wedding.” I’ve always loved the saying, which I discovered originated from Japanese legends: As the light refractions dance and glow, they appear as if paper lanterns from a wedding procession are floating through the dark. One such theory says that although the lights appeared to be signifying a wedding, there was actually no wedding anywhere and the entire thing was an elaborate trick played by foxes.
I’ve always been inspired by music, and I love to paint to my favorite music. When listening to Lyle Lovett’s song, “If I Had A Boat,” I always envision myself on my horse out at sea. It’s gives me a feeling of freedom, strength, and possibilities.
“Everything is held together with stories. That is all that is holding us together. Stories and compassion.”
Barry Lopez
