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Diane Pierce: (b. 1939) A Master of Avian Art

Diane Pierce is an acclaimed artist known for her stunningly lifelike bird paintings. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including the National Geographic Society's Bird Guide and Florida Butterfly Gardening. Her paintings are also on display in galleries and museums across the country.

Pierce's love of birds began at a young age. She grew up in a rural area of Ohio, where she spent countless hours observing the birds in her backyard. This early fascination with birds led her to pursue a career in art.

Pierce, who studied portrait painting at the Cleveland Institute of Arts and Western Reserve University, worked as a commercial artist before transitioning to full-time bird portraiture. Her detailed and lifelike portraits are based on photographs taken with a telephoto lens, as well as in-depth field studies of various bird species, including egrets, herons, cranes, gallinules, and hawks, in their natural habitats. Her artistic practice and ornithological research focus on bird watching, migration, navigation, and the identification and classification of different bird species.

Pierce utilizes a range of techniques, including watercolor, gouache, and oil, to create her paintings. Her artwork is often commended for its beauty and ability to capture the essence of its subjects.

One example is her 1982 watercolor/gouache painting, "Surprise Encounter," which depicts a narrative wildlife scene, below. In the painting, two Yellow Throated Warblers encounter an Eastern Screech Owl perched in a palm tree. The Warblers play upstage and downstage ensuring the owl serves in the center stage. The owl, identifiable by its small size, ear tufts, and red/gray variable color morphs, is lying in wait for its prey. Pierce later transformed this original painting into a limited edition lithograph print.
"Surprise Encounter"
Watercolor/Gouache/Pencil on Paper
Image 19"X25"
Signed LRC: Diane Pierce '82

Pierce is also a passionate advocate for bird conservation. She has donated her work to various conservation organizations and has spoken out against the destruction of bird habitats.

In recognition of her contributions to the art world and her dedication to bird conservation, Pierce has received numerous awards. She is a member of the Society of Animal Artists and the Salmagundi Club (NYC). She has also been awarded the Ridge Audubon Society's Kaucher Award and the National Wildlife Federation's Conservation Achievement Award.

Diane Pierce is an inspiration to artists and bird lovers alike. Her work celebrates the beauty of the natural world and reminds us of the importance of protecting our environment.

Notes and References:
Artwork Collections -
  • Nature Conservancy in Winter Park
  • The Florida Audubon Society in Casselberry
  • The Margaret Cleveland - Walther Gardens in Maryland
  • The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center in Punta Gorda
  • Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis
  • Former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi
  • Florida's Hidden Heritage in Atlanta
  • The Bonita Bay Club
Pierce provided illustrations for the following books -
  • Field Guide to the Birds of North America, National Geographic Society, 1983
  • Wings Over Florida, Junior Birder’s Program, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, undated
  • Birds of the World, UBC Press, 2006, Les Beletsky
  • Behavior of fledgling Peregrines. Sherrod, Steve K. Published by Ithaca: 1983.
  • National Geographic Complete Birds of North America (Jonathan Alderfer, editor, with Jon Dunn, associate editor), National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.
  • Florida Butterfly Gardening by Marc C. Minno 
  • So Cranes May Dance, by Barbara Katz
  • Endangered Birds by Temple
  • An Introduction to Ornithology by Wallace and Mahan
Numerous Newspaper References, one example below:
A brochure announcing Pierce's artistic prints:
________________________________________________________
©2025. Waller-Yoblonsky Fine Art is a research collaborative, working to track artists that got lost and overlooked due to time, changing styles, race, gender and/or sexual orientation. Our frequent blogs highlight artists and art movements that need renewed attention with improved information for the researcher and art collectors. The photos and blog was created by Mr. Waller and all written materials were obtained by the Fair Use Section 107, of The Copyright Act. #DianePierce #DianePierceHuxtable #AvianArt #Birdart #wildlifeart #animalart #walleryoblonskyfineart #walleryoblonsky
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