Check Out Erinn Diekman’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erinn Diekman

Hi Erinn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! Thanks so much for this opportunity. I have always loved creating. I was fortunate to have grown up in a very creative home with supportive parents who had great respect and love for the arts We had a closet full of art materials to use whenever we wanted with lots of freedom to create. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved glass. My dad used to buy stained glass lamp kits so he created a lot of hanging lamps for our home. My mom is an antique collector and found a selection of beautiful stained glass windows that they had installed in our house. So I was surrounded by beautiful glass for my entire childhood. I have always been intrigued by the relationship that glass and light have together.

I graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Fine Art and Art Education. After graduating, I knew I needed to be able to create art as much as possible. I applied to work at a stained glass studio and was hired based on my art background. While working there I learned the basics of stained glass and fell in love with the medium. I was hooked.

A couple years later I moved to Colorado. That’s when I was introduced to glass fusing and fell completely in love with the medium. Early on I was able to take classes from and help assist many professional glass artists whose focus happened to be some type of fused glass. I learned enough in about 5 years to keep me busy for the next 15. My favorite technique was and still is painting on fused glass,known as vitri fusaille. I learned this from the artist who merged traditional painting on stained glass with fused glass, Peter McGrain. He is the master and I’m so lucky to have been exposed to that process.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not always smooth at all! Making art has always been the easiest aspect of being an artist. Navigating the business side and learning how to succeed as an artist has been very challenging. I’m definitely still learning! But thankfully, I’m still here. Still creating.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m most proud of the fused and painted windows. It took a long time and a lot of practice for my skills to catch up with my ambitions. Painting on glass allows me to tell the stories I want to tell while creating in a medium that’s deeply rooted in storytelling. Traditional painting on glass is well known in the realm of stained glass. Most people have viewed painted church windows either in person or images. I use that same paint, techniques and process on fused glass. I love that connection. Combining the old and new.
I create a lot of Red Rocks pieces. I love that place and was captivated by it from my first concert there. The energy is just so beautiful and everyone is so happy to be there. The musicians, the fans; the magic is undeniable! There is a lot of love in the music themed pieces I create. Music is a huge part of my life. These pieces I create represent and honor the culture of live music and all of its magnificent beauty.

What makes you happy?
Creating art. And helping others discover that they are capable of creating art also. I want everyone to realize the process is what is so important, so fulfilling. Often times the emphasis lies on the end result. But that’s a misconception. Creating art has been essential for my well being and mental health and I want others to find the power in that benefit also. So many folks feel like they are not artistic or creative so they stop creating and miss out. It’s something humans tend to grow out of or stop believing once childhood is over. I love to help others find their creative selves because it’s such an incredible, healing, empowering, therapeutic activity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ErinnDiekman.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinndiekmanart?igsh=MWltOG9yZWpndDNtcw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19r6wRBtrk/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
1. Erinn holding a print of one of her windows.
2. Painting on glass
3. Us
4. Creation Rock
5. On the Rocks
6. The Perfect Night
7. Under the Stars
8. Pigeons
9. Wild and Free