Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Kirby
Hi Diane, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In art, I started out like most children. Drawing silly pictures passing the time with crayons, or markers, and the occasional fingerpaint. I think the difference for me is I learned to take criticism early. When I was around five years old, I showed my dad a picture of a house I drew. You know the one, house in the middle of the paper, one door, one window with the sun in the top corner of the page. I presented it to him, seeking approval and praise. Instead, I got constructive criticism. He asked curiously ..” Whose house is this?” I said “Ours!” to which he replied..” It doesn’t look like our house, we have a tree, we have a driveway..” and he continued..” Have you ever seen the sun cut off in the sky?” Slightly confused, but enlightened, I remember answering “no.” He handed it back to me and told me. .” Draw what you see.” I took his advice, but I didn’t consider a career as a full-time artist until this year. My mother however, would often encourage me to keep drawing because..” if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” so in the beginning of 2024 decided to fully dedicate art as a way of life. With acting, as kids my older nephew kept my niece and I entertained. We always put on little“shows” in our homemade costumes and wigs. He ignited our imaginations for sure, he could create a story and we’d fall into it seamlessly. I daydreamed about being in movies, but I didn’t think it was really possible until I saw my niece Naeemah McCowan A.K.A. @nienie1love become a professional dancer at 17. I watched her perform with Destiny’s Child, Usher, and Missy Elliot, traveling all over the world. She’s the one who inspired me to pursue a career in acting. There she was just hanging out with celebrities in real life! Her dream was reality. So I didn’t feel silly when I finally said out loud that I wanted to be an actor. As I watched her, it dawned on me it was really possible. We both graduated from Central Visual and Performing Arts, but later I moved to Atlanta to study art at AiA. To test the waters I took a theatre class at Alliance Theater and from there I was hooked. Art was my natural talent, but I needed to learn the craft of acting. I transferred to Georgia State to study theatre and never let it go.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it wasn’t a smooth road to start at all. Mostly because of my own fears. I have an incredibly supportive family, and encouraging friends. That’s sounds like it should be easier but I was terrified to disappoint them. I think it’s a strong motivator when people don’t believe in you because that drives you to prove them wrong. To overcome that, I stopped putting that pressure on me and allowed myself to make mistakes. I noticed how powerful and inspiring it is to simply try. If I need inspiration creatively I do something I enjoy the most, I watch a movie. Everything is in a movie, art, choreography, writing, music.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have several creative focuses that I’m very proud of and grateful for. I’m a professional actress of 9 years. I’ve booked principal roles in national, regional and local commercials in St. Louis and Atlanta. Several lead and guest starring roles in television and film. I’ve written two short stories (unpublished ). I just closed a play in November as Simone Mabry in “Chicken and Biscuits” written by Douglas Lyons. I am an accomplished contemporary painter. I have art currently on display at the Amor Gallery in St. Louis, Mo., Buckhead Art and Company Gallery in Atlanta , and in the Bloomingdale’s Department Store at Lenox Mall in Atlanta.
My relationship with God sets me apart. I gave my life to the Lord years ago. That doesn’t make me perfect, but I believe He guides me to where He wants me. So, I’m not afraid to explore my talents simultaneously. Most people believe they are doing themselves a disservice by focusing on more than one subject at a time. I don’t. I believe God made me this way on purpose and it’s my responsibility to honor the gifts He gave me by exercising them all to the best of my ability.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I don’t know that I am qualified to offer advice for someone finding a mentor. In my attempts to find a mentor I’d quickly regret committing my time learning under someone whose goals are different from my own. Often times in business or creativity there’s no strict handbook, the most consistent advice I’ve been given is “don’t give up” or “consistency is key”. Doesn’t matter what you do, you’ll make the mistakes and hopefully adjust accordingly. Whether you’re writing a cookbook or designing shoes. Also, there’s no timeframe for success, everything that is quality takes time. I think the best use of your time is learning your craft and exploring it. That’s where I believe discovery is made. As far as networking is concerned, it has always been important for me to offer something of value to the people I work with or meet. Even if that means I can connect others. If you are a kind person with a solid work ethic, you’ll meet the right people at the right time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirbyboots/profilecard/?igsh=Nnk4bDNnNm1hc3Ay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/5nevtRGLmzygghmq/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
