An Exhibition by Diane Stafford
Diane Stafford - Provincetown Artist / Outsider Artist
Like many artists who have made their way to Provincetown, I am largely self-taught, shaped more by observation, instinct, and experience than by formal training. I was fortunate, however, to have several exceptional high school art teachers who recognized my abilities early on and encouraged me to pursue them.
You might call me an outsider artist with an innate sense of structure and perspective. Even as a child, I instinctively saw the world dimensionally — in kindergarten, my teacher was surprised when I drew a house with depth, sides, and a roof rather than as a flat shape on paper. That way of seeing has stayed with me throughout my life and continues to influence my work today.
I’ve always been mechanically inclined, and that sensibility deeply informs how I approach painting. I tend to deconstruct and rebuild things in my mind, paying close attention to how a painting comes together — the materials, brushwork, color, texture, and light that can evoke a feeling or preserve a memory. Through my work, I try to capture the emotional resonance of Provincetown: the expansive skies, our gardens, the wharf shacks behind my home, and the enduring beauty and character of this remarkable place.
When I first arrived in Provincetown nearly 50 years ago, I had very little money. I lived in the campground, worked in restaurant kitchens, and sold pen-and-ink drawings of MacMillan Wharf and the beaches for ten dollars apiece. Over the years, I picked up commissions for menu artwork, brochures, and signs for local businesses around town. I’ve participated in several group shows and once exhibited at Lorraine’s Restaurant, but this marks my first official gallery exhibition.
Like many artists here, survival often had to come before art. Living and working in Provincetown frequently meant juggling multiple jobs and trying to carve out whatever time remained for creative life. It wasn’t until the quiet and uncertainty of 2020, during the Covid shutdown, that I was finally able to devote myself fully to painting. The oil paintings featured in this online exhibition began during that period and reflect both a renewed commitment to my work and a deep appreciation for the place that has inspired me for decades.
I am deeply grateful to Andrea Sawyer and Cad Red Gallery for the opportunity to present this collection, alongside its concurrent online exhibition with Provincetown.com during the run of the show.
Exhibition Dates: June 19 – July 2
Opening Reception: Friday, June 19, 7:00–9:00 PM
