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

Dianna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am definitely happier as an artist and creative. I love painting portraits, I love weddings, and I always wanted to have my own small business. This job is incredibly fulfilling, but there are some obstacles (as there would be with any job). Working in the wedding industry means you do not work the same schedule as everyone around you. Your weekends throughout the spring-fall are dedicated to work. I know that a regular job would allow me a more consistent work/life balance. However, it is not completely out of my control. Most of the time, it is one or two days a weekend, and ultimately, I can choose whether or not I want to take on more or less work. Being your own boss and being a creative means that you are in charge of your schedule. When you work a regular 9-5, you clock out and head home. I find that whenever I have free time, I am beating myself up about not doing work. I know a lot of creatives struggle with this. We constantly need to be reminded about how important relaxation is. In order to be your best, you need to give your brain a break.

When I last thought about this, I considered how I felt at all of my previous jobs. I used to work in the food and hospitality industry. During that time I knew that I wouldn’t stay in that industry, but I was also feeling lost and unsure about where I wanted to take my career. I knew that if I chose any other career path, that I would never have felt so secure and sure about what I do. When I did my undergraduate in arts, I never thought I would actually use it. I did it because I knew I was passionate about it. I would get a degree and see where life took me from there. This job perfectly combines every drive I have in life. Whenever I think about my future, I get a feeling of fulfillment in knowing that I will be able to create everyday and feel stable doing it. This job has shown me that if I can find the proper avenue for it, I can really bring a lot of my ideas to fruition. I’m constantly thinking of new ideas. I dream about having a large home studio where I can work on my wedding paintings and also any other creative endeavour I find myself interested in.

Dianna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Dianna Forwell and I’m a Canadian Live Wedding Painter. I studied fine arts at the University of Waterloo, and before that I have been painting and drawing for as long as I can remember. I was captivated with drawing portraits and the human figure. It is an incredibly complex subject matter, but capturing the likeness and true essence of a person is so rewarding. In my free time, I love to cook, travel as much as possible, and pursue any other creative endeavour that I can. My goal is to never stop learning.

I went into university with the sole intention of getting a degree in something I’m passionate about. In all honesty, I did not have as much faith in an art career. I mean we are constantly told that art is not a viable career path, which is the farthest thing form the truth.

My early 20’s were spent in the food/hospitality/wedding industry. I had a real understanding of how events were run, I didn’t know it at the time, but that experience was invaluable in what I do now. When I decided to pursue wedding painting, I was of course nervous. I decided to take on a few weddings for free to see if I truly enjoyed it or was even capable of doing this. From there, I hit the ground running. I created a website, instagram account and painted like my life depended on it.

Wedding painting is the primary service that I provide. While at the wedding, I work with acrylic paint and during touchups, I use oil paint. I show up to people’s weddings, with a vision in mind. The couple and I pick a moment to capture. The painting functions as entertainment throughout the reception. People are welcome to come up and chat and watch the painting progress throughout the night. By the end of the night, the couple gets a reveal moment to see their painting for the first time. I still take the paintings home for touchups. Once in the studio, they become more detailed, blended and polished. I often hear from my couples that the painting was one of their favourite parts of the night, and for that, I’m incredibly humbled and grateful.

This job requires a lot of problem solving and thinking on your feet. You need to consider composition, timeline, weather, proper angles, lighting and shadows, covering the canvas by the end of the night, capturing content, all while making sure the couple actually likes how they look in the painting! Things don’t always go as planned and you have to be able to work with the ebb and flow of an event. For example, I may need to capture a painting at golden hour but the event starts at 3pm. In order to start at that time, I will take a picture of the background to at least get the layout of the scenery. Then, I will take a mock image of the couple to start on that part of the painting. Once the time actually rolls around, we can take the final image to get the right colours and shadows.

I am incredibly proud of my portfolio. I think it reflects how unique all of my couples are. I have painted almost any moment you can think of; first dance, first kiss, walk down the aisle, a posed moment or something unique to them. I am fortunate enough to attend weddings from all cultures and backgrounds. I feel as though my portfolio is a capsule of all the loved I have witnessed and the accomplishments I have achieved.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of this job is seeing what this means to each couple on their day. It is not everyday that you see yourself in a painting, and it is very humbling to bring their vision to life. Yes, this job can be demanding, but it is all worth it when I see their happy tears. Once someone starts crying, then I start crying, haha. Sometimes, I get the honour of including departed loved ones that could not be there on the day of. I see that it makes them feel as though they are watching over them and are still a part of the day.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The best thing you can do to support artists is to genuinely discover what art means to you. Appreciate that each artist sees the world a little differently and that they are forming their thought process into something tangible. My style might not be everyone or what you love, but there is art for everyone out there. All genuine art has thought and soul behind it. We work hard to share our passion.

In a world of technology and growing AI, please do not undervalue what we as creatives can bring to the world. Art is what we live for, and it is not just through painting or drawing. It is in the books you read, the movies you watch, the music you listen to, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the events you attend, the list goes on. Technology may bring a sense of ease to our lives, but seeing how people react to a painting come together in real time always reminds me that we will always appreciate the talent of others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paintedbydianna.com
• Instagram: @paintedbydianna
• Other: TikTok: @paintedbydianna

Image Credits

Purple Tree Photography
Alix Gould Photography
Lisa Vigliotta Photography
Mango Studios
Lovely Sparrow