Speaking with Port Washington Artist Diane Bares

Port resident and award-winning artist Diane Bares has another honor to add to her rich bio. Her painting, "Shelter Island Creek" was featured in a recent juried exhibition by The American Artists Professional League at the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan. Each year, the exhibit draws hundreds of applicants from across the United States. 

Patch caught up with Bares, a co-president of , just weeks after the show's run, which took place Nov. 2 through Nov. 12.

It's the second time Bares took part in this particular show, the first instance being in 2002. 

"I try to enter different competitions, to branch out a little bit," Bares said. "You win some, you lose some."

She added, "The quality [of the artwork included in the show] is excellent and the people are from all over the country.  So it's an honor to be included among them."

Bares did not necessarily think she would devote herself to art, though she had always been interested in it. And though she showed talent in the subject in high school, she planned to pursue a different path when she graduated.

"I went into college as a math major and came out an art major," she said. Bares is a Drew University graduate with a BA in studio art.

According to her website, dianebaresart.com, she served as a cataloguer in the American Painting Department at Sotheby's. Her award-winning work has appeared at many Long Island venues, including Nassau County Museum of Art and the Huntington Arts Council.

Bares also worked for many years as a graphic artist for an investment firm. After losing her job, however, she decided to pursue painting seriously. 

Her style has evolved over time.  She has done some very detailed, almost photorealistic work over the last several years.