We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Claudine Diamond a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Claudine, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Using my artistic platform, I intend to bring divine feminine principles into the awareness of the viewer. I hope to bring awareness to both men and women that there are divine masculine and feminine principals at play in our world and that balance must be found between them.

I have participated in three group shows this year and my intentions for each were based on one or more expressions of the divine feminine principles. The “Forces of Nature Show” some of which is still on display at Mid-City Artisans is based on the feminine principle of nature. The “Louisiana Love” show, displayed at Brass by Circa 1857 which recently ended, represented the divine feminine principles of nature and nurture. Finally, the “Flowers on the Terrace” show displayed at the River Center library in downtown Baton Rouge, which also just ended was based on the feminine principle of community.

It is my belief that once we realize both masculine and feminine principles are found in varying degrees in both genders, and we allow the full expression of these principles within ourselves, we will start to support each other in a way that will ensure the beautiful and harmonious continuation of the human species.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

There is an artistic expressive gene that seems to run in my family.  Crochet, needle point, painting, macramé, these are all pastimes that my family enjoyed and that were taught to me. My interest in two-dimensional art started with the surrealist works of Salvador Dali and the altered reality drawings of M.C. Escher.  I started creating my own paintings in 2010 as a self-taught artist and 2023 finds me on the fourth turning of my artistic style. First, I started painting by trying to capture realistic images, then I doodled around with Zen Tangle compositions, next I created intuitive abstract mixed medium paintings that incorporated Zen Tangles and sometimes realistic “ish” images, and now I play with collage and mixed medium backgrounds with realistic “ish” images layered on top. I enjoy playing and experimenting with my paintings hoping that this sense of fun comes through in my work.  Recently, I hosted a collaboration art party with some of my friends.  The paintings produced at that party were exiting pieces and I am looking forward to hosting more of these events with the goal of having a collaborative show! Doesn’t that sound exciting!?!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My strategy for growing my clientele is to participate in local and out of state markets. I also plan to place my artwork in as many galleries and stores as possible while traveling around the country. I am in the process of looking for a camper. I work from home as a freelance paralegal so I can travel and still serve my clients.

I have a small social media presence and one day I may even invest in a website, but this is not the way I plan to grow my collector base. It is my understanding that collectors buy artwork that resonates with them from an artist that they know and like. It is difficult to engage with your collectors online unless you are willing to take the time to run a YouTube channel and I don’t feel like taking the time to do that.

This is my retirement job, and I can wait to grow my collectors organically.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn that creating art for money is the first thing that will kill an art career. I started out thinking that money was the goal, I stopped painting for a while because this type of thinking is very discouraging. Once I became aware that creating is a way of life, I began to enjoy the process. Once you enjoy the process, the collectors and money will follow.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_lotus_visions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueLotusVisions/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudine-diamond-37a3a646/

Image Credits
I certify that all of the art shown is mine.