Meet Diana Linnabary

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Linnabary.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
There are so many aspects to my story, so I will try to keep it short. I am an encourager of others and often didn’t realize the encouragement I give to others is also for me. For a long time, I didn’t see myself as an artist. My friends began correcting me, as they see me as an artist. My art story starts in 8th grade where I gave up on art and picks up again in 2011. When I was in junior high school, I took an art class and loved it. My art teacher did not love me though. 🙁 He told me I had no talent and told me that I might want to find another hobby. I was crushed but transferred to the speech class. Already emotionally wounded I had the mindset that I probably couldn’t do that either. My self-talk caused me to barely pass speech, just like art. Words hurt and cause wounds inside that are invisible to others. I carried those emotional wounds for many years. Life struggles continued and contributed to the lack of confidence with one emotional wound after another that piled on top of my art teacher crushing my spirit. In 2011, my friend talked me into taking an art class with her. I went just to have fun and I loved it. To my surprise, the teacher loved me and said I have potential. Others have always seen me as confident, but inside I was not. I have fought confidence most of my life. Long story short, I started a journey in 2011 to gain back the confidence in art and other areas of life that I was always intended to have. As I walked this journey, I started painting and continue to surprise myself. I’m still learning how to paint and having fun. In the process found that I am no longer accepting the lie that I carried all those years, and believed I have no art skills.

Please tell us about your art.
All of my art has an encouraging message. I am an encourager of women and as I spend time with them, I reflect on hope, courage, confidence, love, unity, life skills, etc. When I think of the encouragement they need that day, a vision pops into my head. That is the beginning of the painting. I have the knack of getting connected to women who need encouragement and are in need of someone loving them through a tough place in their lives. I believe we are not to park in the tough situations life throws at us, but that we are to keep moving forward. I have given away most of my paintings. Each painting has a group or person in mind and I think of them while I am painting. Then write on the back a word of encouragement before I give it to them.

We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I am fortunate that I have several artist friends and we get tougher and talk about techniques, and where our inspiration comes from. I am just now getting connected to artists that I have not known previously. I am easy to talk to, so I usually talk to artist in the supply stores and coffee shops. I do not purchase my supplies online, because I like the experience of being in an artistic environment. I have met several artists at the various art supply stores. The Phoenix area is rich with them.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Right now I give most of my work away as part of the supporting encouragement I give to women. I usually do not post most of my work. So, for now, I have photos of my work. My goal is to have encouragement paintings for people that I have not yet met. I believe that as they are led to a painting, the message on the back will speak to them and be just what they need to keep moving forward. I believe that will happen someday. For now, I only have a few paintings that have not found a home, yet.

Contact Info:

• Email: delinnabary@gmail.com
• Instagram: @delinnabary
• Facebook: @diana.linnabary

Image Credit:
Photo of me — Joy Randall, Photos of my work — me from my iPhone

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.