Wander With Wonder
"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." Thomas Merton
When I paint, I step away from the noise of everyday life and lose myself in that magical place that many artists call “the zone.” In this space, I seek to connect with the emotions of the subject before me, and it is that emotional response that guides what appears on the canvas. In other words, I paint less of what I see and more of what I feel. My work naturally leans toward impressionistic mark-making because it reflects my instinctive way of responding to the moment and the subject matter. Losing myself in my work allows me to simultaneously find myself - proof that two seemingly opposite truths can exist at the same time.
Dina Gardner lives and works in both Los Angeles and Boston and is known for her ocean and landscape paintings as well as her large-scale ‘abstracted landscape’ work. Her work is characterized by a highly gestural and expressive approach that exists at the intersection of impressionism and realism. A keen observer of her surroundings, Dina is drawn to the paradox of light and shadow and the tension this creates visually, both in nature and on her canvas. Having grown up in Southern California with an early fascination of the ocean, water holds a particular fascination for her although she finds beauty and inspiration everywhere and seeks to share these moments through her artwork.
Dina's work is on permanent display at Boston Children’s Hospital, The University of Texas Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital, a Redevelopment Authority in Minnesota and in many commercial buildings across the United States. Her work is held in private collections across North and South America, Europe and Africa.
By jury selection, she was awarded Full Member status in the Copley Society of Art, the oldest art association in the United States. She is also a Founding Member/Signature Status with Central Massachusetts Pastel Society. She holds Member and Associate Member status with several other art societies including the California Art Club, Pastel Society of Southern California, Pastel Society of America and American Women Artists. She has twice been juried into the highly coveted International Association of Pastel Societies "IAPS" shows. She has been selected as an artist-in-residence several times at the Artist Association of Nantucket (AAN) in Nantucket, MA. Dina has taught group classes at AAN as well as group and individual classes at her studio in Boston. She has participated in group shows nationwide and her work has been exhibited in many solo shows in and around Boston, MA and in Kennebunk, Maine at Maine Art Hill Gallery and in Los Angeles, CA. Her art has been featured in Artscope Magazine, Gallery Cero's Great American Painting Series, It's All About Arts magazine and the Boston City newspaper. She has been interviewed and featured on radio show 97.7 ACK FM Nantucket, Gallery Cero's live Instagram interview, The Boston News Network and Wellesley Society of Artists "Art, Life and Pandemic" video. She is represented by galleries on both the West and East coasts of the United States and her work is featured on both Artsy.net and 1st Dibs.
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FINE ART PRINTS!!!
All of my art work can now be purchased as prints on the highest quality archival paper available in virtually any size imaginable. If the original piece has sold or you want a size that is smaller or larger than the original, then this is a wonderful and affordable option. Please contact me if you would like to learn more at [email protected]
CURRENT EXHIBITS/NOTABLE ACQUISTIONS
September 2026- October 2026: Southwest Florida Pastel Society’s National Juried Show. Painting “Full Throttle” is one of 100 pieces selected for this show.
August 2026 - November 2026: California Art Club's First Annual Associate Artist "Rising Voices" Showcase. Painting "Homecoming" is one of only 50 paintings juried into this international, multimedia exhibit. Click here to see the show.
July 2026- October 2026: Manhattan Beach Art Center Annual Community Exhibition selects "Emerald Seas" to be part of this show.
May 2026: Central Mass Pastel Society: Painting "A River Run's Through It" represents the state of Utah in the CMPS show to honor America's 250th year anniversary. https://www.cmpastels.org/
November 2025: BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PURCHASES A 24X36 PAINTING AND SPECIFICALLY PLACES THIS PIECE ON THEIR SURGICAL FLOOR TO PROVIDE COMFORT AND DISTRACTION FOR CHILDREN UNDERGOING SURGERY. A HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IN MINNESOTA PURCHASES FIVE 24X36 PAINTINGS FOR PERMANENT DISPLAY IN THEIR LOBBY AND ANOTHER 24X36 PIECE IS PURCHASED BY A HOSPITAL IN SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THEIR LOBBY.
Stay tuned for upcoming workshops and read what my students are saying:
"Taking one- on- one private lessons with Dina helped me explore mark making and expression in a way I had never imagined possible. Her approach and methodology in explaining step- by- step how to understand color values, atmosphere and composition is unlike any other artist/teacher I have worked with. She had me practice with quick timed paintings, allowing me to explore the looseness of the pastel medium and its incredible potential. Dina encouraged me to practice and paint through key foundations in painting and then to let go and find my own expression. She is an incredible communicator and has the most warm and engaging personality which helped me with my confidence. I learned so much from her that I am now looking to rent my own studio!"
"I absolutely loved this workshop! Dina provided positive feedback by focusing on the successful elements of each painting and by giving super helpful suggestions on how to improve and strengthen areas of a painting that weren't as strong. I have referenced all of her very thorough and well-thought out handouts since taking her class and have been able to keep moving forward in my art journey well after the workshop ended.”
"My expectations for Dina's workshop were high because a friend told me that she is a terrific instructor. Not surprisingly, she didn't disappoint. She is a subject matter expert on all things 'pastel' related and exudes warmth and generosity as a teacher. Her passion for pastels is evident from the get go and she truly loves teaching others how to get the most out of this medium. I love Dina’s energy and enthusiasm and she makes learning easy and fun."
"I thoroughly enjoyed the 3-day workshop I took with Dina in Nantucket. She is generous, talented, patient and has a great sense of humor. Her guidance and constant positive outlook put everyone at ease. The handouts she provides are a real gift and I have referred to them many times over the last several months. I can't wait to take another workshop with her!"
"I have taken so many art classes, including classes at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. I can say in all honesty that Dina is the best instructor I have ever taken a class with. I took a Zoom class with her during Covid and I was concerned that it would be really hard to learn how to paint with pastels over Zoom but Dina made it easy to understand the concepts and to share her talent with us. I'm now hooked on this medium and excited to take an in-person class with her in the future."
Contact Info:
Facebook: Dina Gardner Pastel Studio and Dina Gardner
Instagram: Carpe_Dina
Email: [email protected]
Website:
All images on this site are copyrighted by the artist and may not be reproduced without written permission of the artist.
