Born and raised in Southern Illinois, Era Diane (Beggs) Ireland has always had a passion for the wildlife and beautiful scenery of the surrounding region. Following graduation from the Metropolis High School, Diane pursued her love of the outdoors by attending Shawnee Community College and earning an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences with a Wildlife Technology major.
Always noted for her artistic talents, Diane recently chose to pursue her lifelong dream to be a landscape and wildlife artist. She has attended workshops and art classes at: Tennessee Tech University’s Appalachian Center for Craft, in Smithville, TN; Shawne Community College in Ullin, IL; and Paducah, KY’s PAPA Gallery where she has received instruction in acrylic and mixed media art from nationally acclaimed artists such as Mel Garbark, Sally Crain-Jager, and Scott Morris. In 2017, Diane also travelled to North Carolina to attend a workshop focused on oil and acrylic painting with acclaimed artist Robert Hagan. She has been a member of PAPA’s Gallery since 2004.
Diane has won numerous awards in art competitions throughout the region, including: being selected to show at the Annual Juried Art Exhibition in 2005 at The Ice House Gallery in Mayfield, KY, and in the Juried Art Show in Benton, KY. She frequently exhibits at the Women’s Club Annual Art Show in Paducah, KY where she has received numerous 1st place awards with acrylic paintings and mixed media art. In 2012 Diane’s acrylic painting, “Butterfly II” was selected as Best of Show at the Women’s Club Annual Art Show in Paducah.
A few of Diane’s favorite artists are Terry Isaac, Robert Bateman, Robert Hagan, and Mel Garbark. She finds inspiration from God, flowers, gardening and everything in nature. Diane makes her own soap, called “Painter and Sons”, loves to garden and teaches family kids all about gardening and canning. She finds many ways to express and enjoy her creativity, such as making hats, (and the afore-mentioned soaps), painting and decorating coveralls (I’m sure I’ve missed some things in there!) She has a very substantial collection of a hundred or so, Cow Creamers.
You must get down to PAPA and check out this interesting artist while her gorgeous Featured Artist Show is available. She has some wonderful pieces she’s sharing with us.
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