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

Diane, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

For much of my life, I dedicated myself to working for others, leaving little time for personal pursuits. However, upon retiring, I found myself liberated to chart my own course. As a creative individual I hold a degree in drawing and painting. I also am skilled in illustration, graphic design, photography, videography, writing, and music, I revel in the freedom to express myself across various mediums.

Yet, amidst this creative journey, my passion for aiding animals burned brightly. In 2014, I embarked on a volunteering endeavor with Furry Friends cat shelter in Vancouver, WA. Assuming the role of their creative director and took charge of marketing and PR initiatives. Given the organization’s limited resources, I undertook a multifaceted approach, revitalizing their logo, crafting promotional materials, and establishing a robust presence on social media. Additionally, I committed myself to showcasing the cats available for adoption through weekly photography sessions, while also producing artwork for auctions and promotional campaigns.
Drawing from my background as an entertainer and musician alongside my husband, we organized fundraisers to support the shelter’s cause, infusing creativity and community spirit into our endeavors. Furthermore, I initiated a unique fundraising avenue by meticulously painting artist-quality rocks for sale, with all proceeds directed towards Furry Friends.

The satisfaction derived from witnessing the tangible impact of my contributions on the organization’s growth has been immeasurable. Over the past decade of voluntary service, I have never sought personal financial gain, finding fulfillment in the knowledge that every effort made has directly benefited the welfare of cats in need. Despite not being affluent, I embrace a frugal lifestyle, finding joy in the meaningful difference I’ve been able to make in the lives of these animals.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by the art of drawing and creating. Opting for art as my major in college was a natural choice, where I delved into the realms of drawing and painting. Despite the challenges of finding employment in the creative sector post-graduation, I found a temporary foothold at the LA Times while contemplating the direction of my artistic talents. It wasn’t until my relocation to Washington state that I could fully harness my skills.

In 1993, I embarked on my own artistic venture, establishing an art business that primarily focused on paintings and prints showcased at exhibits, galleries, and fairs. In those pre-internet days, marketing was a challenge, prompting me to write a booklet on art marketing tailored for local artists. Despite my efforts, the financial returns were not as substantial as I had hoped, leading me back to the printing industry after several years.
While employed at the Reflector, I discovered new avenues of creativity, immersing myself in graphic design and newspaper page layout. Additionally, I contributed a weekly cartoon to the publication, finding it to be a refreshing departure. However, it wasn’t until my retirement in 2014 that I found profound meaning in my creative pursuits.

With newfound time on my hands, my first priority was to engage with an animal welfare organization. I stumbled upon Furry Friends, a cat rescue organization in Vancouver, Washington, lacking in branding and publicity. Stepping in, I spearheaded their marketing efforts, from creating promotional materials to capturing weekly photos of the cats for adoption drives. I cultivated relationships with local media outlets, securing coverage through interviews and articles, effectively becoming the public face of the organization.
Volunteering my creative talents has been immensely fulfilling. I’ve seamlessly blended my diverse skill set, finding solace in aiding both animals and people.

Outside of visual arts, I’ve long been immersed in music, serving as a vocalist and guitarist in my church band for the past 25 years, and performing alongside my husband at fraternal organizations.
Despite not reaping substantial financial rewards from my creative endeavors, the wealth of fulfillment derived from benefiting animals and people far outweighs any monetary gain.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I embarked on my art journey in 1993, I was very serious about creating a business and income from my art. There had been no training about this in my college years studying art. I read everything I could about the business of art. I joined every art organization in my area. Only to find out they were mostly hobbyists.

Things are so much different now. We live in the information age and anything you want to know is easy to find. Plus you can market things on the internet now. It’s an entirely different thing than when I was trying to make it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/4-diane-stevens
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeDAMU7Bsz0

Image Credits
Diane Stevens