We had the good fortune of connecting with Diane Gelman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diane, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Having my own studio is a winning combination. I have a place to make art, to keep all of my supplies, and a great space to showcase and sell my work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I became an artist later in life after a career in Food and Nutrition. I am still a Registered, Licensed Dietitian and worked in many capacities in that field. I discovered that I loved to paint when I decorated my kitchen with vegetables about 25 years ago. I took my first painting class at Galveston Community college and ended up studying art for 15 years, eventually graduating from The Glassell School of art with a Certificate of Fine Arts in Painting. I started out wanting to paint pictures of cakes and now I am back to painting cakes – though much more complex, sophisticated versions of them! In fact, I had a monumental commission this past year, where I created an entire fantasy Patisserie shop spanning 3 walls in a collector’s home. I have become a much more skilled painter with time and experience. I am excited to be able to create artwork that looks so real that you want to reach for a piece. I specialize in artwork about food and also create exciting portraits and works about nature, usually paint with collage and 3 dimensional elements.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to go to Chinatown! It is a real treat to shop for unique ingredients in the multitude of asian markets in Chinatown. I especially love eating at new, untried restaurants featuring the cuisines of the whole world. It is such fun. Houston is a melting pot of people from around the word and we have restaurants of everything! In fact, we’ve been in a dining group for years and years with 2 other like minded couples. We take turns finding an exciting new dive once a month. We look for inexpensive holes in the wall type places, all around the city, with great food. We don’t care about the ambiance.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely! I got my start with my first solo art show at Urban Eats Bistro+Bar+Market about 5 years ago. I had tried emailing Levi Rollins (part-owner) about having a show but he ignored my messages. One day, I filled my car trunk with lots of paintings and drove to the restaurant. I went in, introduced myself, and asked if he’d come and take a look at some of my artwork. He agreed! Indeed, I had a big show throughout the large, 2 story restaurant from May – August 2016. I sold so much artwork that it made me realize that I needed to have my own studio.

Website: www.dianegelman.com
Instagram: dianegelman
Linkedin: Diane Gelman
Facebook: DianeGelmanart

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.