Featured Artist Dianne Meinke

Artist and musician Dianne Meinke presents a collection that celebrates famous rock stars. See more of her work by visiting her website.

 

 

My insatiable thirst for creativity began at a young age. I suspect most would think I’m crazy, but I remember being in diapers in my parents’ room, rummaging around in mom’s makeup bag. I could hear Mom looking for me, “Where are you, Dianne?!” Then suddenly, she burst into the bedroom only to find me behind the door, finger-painting the wall with her makeup.

 

 

Skipping forward through time and over my musical pursuits which include Grammy nominations, top 40 hits and platinum records; let me go on record—my 1st love was always, and still is—art. During earlier periods of my life, I used my art to promote my music and always hoped someday it would reverse. Unlike my great grandfather and great uncle, Maximilien Luce & Frederic Luce, both well known Neo-Impressionist painters, I wanted to not be homeless nor wealthy. I wanted to enjoy life as a professional artist—not famous—but rich in life experience.

 

 

My musical journey led me to an artist I admired but never met in person—Jimi Hendrix. I loved what he accomplished and was honored by the fact that I was given the opportunity to work with his original fine art collection. This was an opportunity I think most artists I knew would have craved. If you read Jimi’s brother, Leon Hendrix’s book Jimi Hendrix: A Brother’s Story, he mentions knowing of his brother’s deep passion for art. Once Jimi picked up a guitar, then the rest became history.

 

 

As I understood it, there was a part of him which quietly and discreetly held onto his first love. Behind stage, in his dressing room or anywhere he could find solace, he spent time on his art. I feel that Jimi had the same passions as I did. On that note, I could definitely relate.

 

 

For seven years I worked with Jimi’s art as a branding artist. This involved segmenting high resolution scans of his work, zooming in so close I could visualize his pen strokes. At times it felt as if Jimi himself was sitting next to me providing guidance as I pieced together his art into more imagery. Once my contract came to an end, I felt compelled to use what I had learned to pursue branding my own style.

 

 

A dear friend and art curator, Liane Langford, offered to have my work reviewed. Liane mingled with the art and entertainment crowd which included David Van Gough and such. She introduced me to her colleagues—a gallery owner and a collector. Her colleagues reviewed my art and gave me valuable feedback to help me narrow down my pursuit.

 

 

In the review the gallery owner stated that since I was all over the map with my styles. I needed to find one style which would excite and inspire me but would be recognizable as my work every time. So was born my RockArt Collection; a collection which includes an ever-evolving catalog of music artists, both painted and sketched, which have inspired me.

 

 

My art is wearable statements about music, love, life and so much more. This is what excites me and keeps me creating more. For me and my fans, the t-shirts and the greeting cards are just as important as the original paintings.

 

Artist Dianne Meinke invites you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

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