Life’s trials help Valley artist find her true calling

Published 12:25 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

NORTH BEND – A lifelong desire to share her art with the world found Diane Solomon battling personal tragedy and a bout with a chronic illness to realize her calling.

Art has always represented a unique connection for Solomon that allows her to interact with people on a different level and experience the fun and energetic personalities of the animals which she paints. Although she has always wanted to heed the calling of her muse, it took a series of unfortunate and tragic events for Solomon to gain the opportunity that has brought her happiness. Solomon’s story is based on healing and sharing.

A Snoqualmie Valley resident since 1970, Solomon for many years worked with her love, Arabian horses. Training and riding the horses in Duvall, she found the activity to be extremely fulfilling. Solomon soon realized that interacting with the animals was a notable gift, but the talent did not find a connection with her career until later in her adult life.

While living in Duvall with her husband, Solomon’s son was killed at age 10 in a three-wheel ATV motorbike accident. At this same point in her life, Solomon was diagnosed with a chronic illness.

There was a period of 20 years, Solomon explained, where she could not interact with any part of her life that had previously given her joy. Eventually the urge to heed her artistic calling crept back in her life.

Solomon believes she has come to terms with many of the emotions she hid behind for years because of her artwork, which gave her an opportunity to face humans and animals again with a vigor she never previously obtained.

When younger, Solomon had always had a fascination with painting, however she never had the ability to channel the emotions necessary into painting because of demands on her time or strains on her emotions. Solomon’s early work has simi

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