We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Diana Shimane. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Diana below.
Diana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
As a Lapidary Artist, it is my pleasure to cut, carve and polish Stone, Gem and Fossil. Soon after my introduction to the magic of my art, I joined a local Rock Club. Yes, they exist. There I met a handful of fellow enthusiasts who taught me the safety practices of the Saws, Grinder, Laps, and Wheels and then set me loose to create. In these last 5 years I’ve created countless cabochons and carvings. Some very talented folks have been happy to offer some constructive criticism here and there along the way. That being said, I do consider myself self taught as I’ve had no formal training in cutting stone. As a Metals Artist, I create one of a kind embellishments for my lapidary works turning them into wearable art. In this I am also self taught. I began with Wire Wrap settings and found a natural inclination for creating flowing settings to highlight the stone. Limitations in wire works, lead me to teach myself Silversmithing. I now incorporate soldered Silver and Copper in my finished pieces.
My business has been growing, slowly but surely. Each piece that finds its home allows me to continue to push on and buy that next tool or the supplies Ive needed. My art is ever evolving and I couldn’t be happier.
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?
My name is Diana Shimane and I am the Lupie RockCarver. Lapidary is my primary art with Metalsmithing a close second. My stone, gem and fossil carvings are intuitive, guided by the magic in the stone. For hours at a time, my hands flow with the rock, water and grinding wheel. I never how that spirit will lead me. Each one is an individual unto itself. The process is not fast, no team of workers passing the piece on to the next guy. Its just me and the materials in our own little world until the creating is done. 
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, I cant talk about my story without including SLE. It was at the same time that I began cutting stone that I was diagnosed with Lupus. If you are unfamiliar, Lupus is an autoimmune disease. Its a beast of a condition that causes a persons own immune system to go the attack. There is much collateral damage in the fight. It can wreck havoc on a persons body and mind. There is no cure and few treatments. My mother lived with Lupus, it took her life at 39 years old.
I have felt the affects of Lupus my though my whole life. I press on through each day, aware that this beast sits in the room with me. UV sensitivity, joint pain, extreme fatigue, anxiety and even depression are the symptoms that affect daily functioning most. For me, sunlight is a huge no-no. It fuels the beast and gives it free range to wreck me. When you meet me at Market, Ill be in hat, long sleeves and pants always, even in the hottest weather. I hide from the sun, which is not easy running my business at outdoor markets. Everyone’s Lupus journey is different. Yet, we press on.
When I chose the name Lupie RockCarver, it was with the intention of bringing awareness of SLE. Out there somewhere is a person who has been suffering through one misdiagnosis after another. I hope to be a light that helps them find their way to understanding and treatment.
There is no cure, but with percent of profits I am able to donate to the Lupus Research Alliance, someday there will be.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The amazing thing about Creatives and Artists is our ability to transform emotion into something tangible. Its a gift from our spirit. When I am working the stones, I am in synch with its energy. It’s a satisfaction like no other, to be in that zone, to be in that magical space of creation. Its a feeling you wouldn’t believe if I had words to express it…. unless you are a fellow artist, that is. For me, the most rewarding aspect of my art, is the electric moment when my art finds its home. I have brought to this world something that persons heart needed. Its a phenomenal feeling.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @the_Lupie_RockCarver
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LupieRockCarver/