Diana Papazian

A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE ARTIST

1. What do you do when you’re not making art? (Day job etc...).

I am one of the crazy people (especially thinking back on it now), who actually quit their stable government job to pursue a jewelry design business. When I am not creating jewelry, art, or gallery sitting, I try to keep up with our soon to be kindergartner. Whether I will be able to do anything creative once virtual school starts, we shall have to see!

2. Why do you make art?

I had stopped painting once I started making jewelry in 2007, but constantly wished I could take up the paintbrush again. Once the pandemic hit, I channeled my anxiety into painting, because nobody wanted jewelry anymore. Art is therapy for me, as cliche as it sounds.

3. What inspires you?

Anything and everything. I can't sit still with mediums or styles, fortunately or unfortunately, so one day I might be inspired by nature (hence, my dandelion obsession), the next day - architecture and geometric shapes.

4. What/who are your influences?

As far as my painting goes - I have paintings that echo Matisse and Dali, while others are probably more subconscious influences. My child was actually a great influence on my dandelion phase because he can't walk by one without trying to blow on it.

5. If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be?

Oof, how does one choose just one? I'll stick to the world of fashion and say, Iris Apfel, because her fashion sense is amazing, and I sometimes dream of a day when one of my statement pieces will grace her neck (