Multifaceted Creativity

Issue: June 2024

See Diane’s paintings all summer at On the Verandah in Highlands.

Diane McPhail is a multifaceted talent, deeply rooted in the arts and literature. As an artist, McPhail’s work is a vibrant testament to her keen observation of nature and human emotion, reflecting a profound connection to the landscapes and essence of the Southern Appalachians.

Here is one key to her seemingly magic-like and multifaceted creativity. Years ago, while reading Madeleine L’Engle’s Walking on Water: Reflections of Faith and Art, she experienced an epiphany: “The work comes to you from somewhere else and asks you to give it birth. Your job is to follow the work, for it knows where it needs to go.”

Diane continues: “I was commissioned to create a 13-figure sculpture garden of baked porcelain on steel from my Adam and Eve creations for the center of Lenox Park in Atlanta. That opened with a huge crowd for dinner accompanied by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. I didn’t originate any of that. It was a situation that the work knew what it needed to be. And it asked me to help it be born.”

Her artistry is not confined to the canvas alone; it extends into her eloquent expressions as a writer, where she weaves narratives that are as compelling as they are heartfelt.

In her literary endeavors, Diane McPhail offers readers a glimpse into the complexities of human relationships and the intricate tapestry of Southern life. Her works often explore themes of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of forgiveness, striking a chord with readers who find solace and reflection in her words.

She has written The Abolitionist’s Daughter, The Seamstress of New Orleans, and most recently, Follow the Stars Home, all of which enjoy huge audiences and critical acclaim. There’s a fourth manuscript under contract, set in France. And once again – as in her artwork – the characters themselves guide Diane; they tell her the story that wants to be told.

Beyond her individual achievements, Diane McPhail has contributed significantly to the cultural fabric of the Plateau. Through her involvement in local arts organizations and community events, she fosters a spirit of creativity and collaboration. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to bridge the worlds of visual art and literature exemplify her as a distinguished figure in the arts.

Visit her paintings all summer at On the Verandah. Paintings and jewelry are available at The Bascom. There’s also her art website, dianecmcphailart.com. Diane writes a Museletter with photography and musings on life at dianecmcphailauthor.com. And you can purchase her books wherever books are sold.