Diana Forbes is a painter and a mixed media collage artist based in the UK.
Diana’s expressive mixed media works repeats visual motifs, including Pomegranates and Lemons, embodying the simplicity of everyday organic shapes. Colourful botanical works invite the viewer into Diana's garden, showing intense reds, lush greens and vivid pinks appearing in almost all paintings. The works feature cut-paper Japanese collage, giving the surface a translucency of the colours similar to light filtering through flower petals whilst adding layers of texture. Botanicals are rendered simplistically rather than capturing their defined features.
Based at her studio in Oxfordshire, Diana is inspired by the countryside and nature around her home. Intuitive, bold strokes, fine marks and textural layers, as well as a strong focus on collage are central to Diana’s collections. Diana’s works are collected in the UK and internationally.
Works by Diana Forbes
Lemons on Striped Cloth, 8 x 11in - $775
Picnic & Pimm's, 12 x 10in - $800
Blue Salvia on Sienna, 13 x 16in - $900
Regatta Day II, 13 x 18in - $950
Blue Salvia on Green, 13 x 16in - $900
Regatta Day I, 13 x 18in - $950
Pomegranate Wine, 17 x 12in - $600
• Summer Lemons - SOLD
• Garden Table in Summer - SOLD
• Martini by the Window - SOLD
• Spring Bowl - SOLD
• Pomegranate Picnic - SOLD
• Apples & Persimmons - SOLD
• Summer Tea - SOLD
• Pomegranate & Clementine - SOLD
• Pears and Lime - SOLD
• Nicotiana on Blue - SOLD
• Green Fruit - SOLD
• Amarena - SOLD
• Striped Cloth - SOLD
• Persimmon & Pear - SOLD
• Watermelon & Lemon - SOLD
• Dry Nights - SOLD
• Simple Tipple - SOLD
•Prosecco, Martini, and Cards - SOLD
• Sorrento Picnic - SOLD
• Pomegranate & Stoneware - SOLD
• Pomegranate & Stoneware II - SOLD
• Persimmon Stripe
• Pomegranate & Stoneware I - SOLD
• Lemon and Lime - SOLD
• Pears and Gingham - SOLD
• Autumn Persimmon - SOLD
• Make Lemonade - SOLD
• Harvest Day - SOLD
• Apples - SOLD
Get to Know Diana Forbes
What draws you to working in collage?
I enjoyed cutting paper and my hands were always covered in glue as a child. The freedom of moving collage pieces around until a final place is decided on. The texture of different types of paper and the excitement to combine different types of papers. The unexpected texture in a work, when you observe it up close, there is always something new to explore and find.
How do you know when a work is finished?
I try and live with my paintings for a while, keeping them in my living space. If I feel that there is nothing to add then I consider a work finished.
Favorite museum?
I love spending hours at the Tate Modern in London, seeing fantastic contemporary and abstract works and exciting installations.
Q&A w/ Diana
Read through our Q&A with Cotswolds-based artist Diana Forbes and discover more about what inspires her collage making process, what artists she admires most, and more.