Beloved artist of the Amish returns to Berlin Creek Gallery
By Kelley Mohr
October 10, 2011
1748
Summary: Diane Graebner, best known for her prints depicting the Amish lifestyle in Ohio, held her annual gallery showing at Berlin Creek Gallery on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Story: In one scene, a bonneted girl picks sunflowers from a garden. In another, two boys build a snowman, accompanied by a frolicking goose and dog. In this room in Berlin Creek Gallery, countless scenes depicting the life of the Amish decorate the walls, some exhibiting a canny likeness to the real-life buggies passing outside the window.
This is Diane Graebners talent, the ability to capture the simplicity of Amish life on canvas, a talent that has earned her a devoted following of admirers who clamor for her artwork. And from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, those admirers had a chance to visit the artist and her artwork at her gallery show in Berlin, Ohio.
In a town where buggies are parked outside of every building and nearly every shop advertises authentic Amish food and products, it is evident that Graebner returns to this town every year for a reason.
This is the heart of Amish Country, said Graebner, who now lives in Apple Valley Lake, near Mount Vernon, Ohio. The second Saturday in October is always the time that Im here, but my work is always here.
The inspiration for her work is taken from this very countryside said Graebner, who lived in Ohio most of her life. In fact, her initial artwork was all landscape work, until she found more inspiration from the people inhabiting those landscapes.
When I taught at Black River High School, which was quite a while ago, I started seeing the Amish going back and forth to school and teaching. The Amish started creeping into the landscapes, said Graebner.
The Amish appeared in more and more of her paintings, and the more she painted, the more she grew to appreciate the Amish way of life.
After I learned more about them, the simple statement came about, said Graebner. I try to show the beauty of the simple things in life and I try to see through the eyes of a child.
For this reason, Graebners canvases depict children engaged in simple, special moments. Whether the children are harvesting apples from a tree, hanging laundry on clotheslines, carrying pumpkins, making a snow angel or blowing bubbles, Graebners paintings convey a sense of the innocence and wonder associated with childhood.
This sense of seeing the world through a childs eyes is elevated by the fact that the child is a member of the Amish Community, a culture that traditionally aims to live a simpler life. I think a lot of people wish they could do that. Its gotten to be too complicated, said Graebner, explaining why her artwork is so popular.
Out of respect for the Amish lifestyle, Graebner refrains from painting in her subjects facial features.
I dont paint their faces because its against their religion, its against their faith, she said. The Amish believe that one should be humble and having a likeness of oneself goes against that belief.
The walls of the Berlin Creek Gallery showcased these works of art that capture snapshots of everyday Amish life, evoking a sense of childlike familiarity in the viewer. Customers could chat with the artist while they browsed the gallery. Graebner originals and prints were for sale, along with decorative plates, postcards, magnets, ornaments and canvas bags.
Every year, this gallery show is like a homecoming, Graebner said, because she is able to return to the people and the countryside that inspires her. This special day in October recalls the reason she started painting when she was 11-years old.
To view her work, go to Berlin Creek Gallery at 5042 SR 39 Berlin, Ohio.
