Artist bari federspiel:
Dian Zahner South American Bird watercolor 23 x 18”
Dian Zahner Fish in School watercolor 27 x 33”
I met Dian at an art workshop in 2004. I had lost my first husband, and was dating Frank who is my husband now. I decided I needed to tiptoe into the watercolor world and had no experience whatsoever. I sat near this vibrant, happy lady with white hair and a huge smile who kept encouraging me throughout the class.
She invited Frank and me to her house on Friday evening to have dinner with the artist that was giving the workshop, and to do the First Friday Tour. I’ d never even heard of it, but had such a good time with these new friends. At one point she said,“ I am the President of the Spokane Watercolor Society. You should join. Here’ s the paperwork.” I said,“ What the heck. Sure.” I had just started painting and everything I’ d done in this class had been super awful. Why would I try to join? But I did and they let me in, which is nuts. Thank you, Dian.
I saw Dian a lot, and she asked me to be in a show with her. I even designed the postcards for it, with pictures of our paintings. It was the first show I had ever been in; it was in the cafe next to Auntie’ s where Uncle’ s is now. I didn’ t sell anything, and looking back at the paintings I showed, I know why. Dian and John came to our wedding, and shortly afterwards invited us to go kayaking with her and several of their friends. We had a wonderful day, ending with dinner at a restaurant by the lake. Dian then asked me if I’ d like to be in the Studio Tour. I said sure.
That began many years of working with Dian in the Watercolor Society, in shows, and in the Studio Tour. She always made blueberry French toast for all the artists. Once again Dian approached me with another venture. She asked me to join the Avenue West Gallery, where she and several other artists had a coop. I looked over the papers, and said,“ Sure, why not”?
Occasionally, I would get a call, text, email, or all three, asking me to come help her do something on her computer. There was only one time I couldn’ t go, because I was out of town. She always said I’ ll pay you. And I thought, I should be paying you for all the things that you’ ve taught me over the years. No way are you going to pay me. I would eat a cookie so that was a good payment. Also, I got to spend time with her. She shared a lot of things with me, which I will hold in my heart as they were just for me. I will miss her terribly, especially the random phone calls asking for help with technical difficulties. It’ s even hard to write this, as it makes it even more real that she is gone. These paragraphs are hopelessly inadequate in describing our friendship. I love you forever Dian. See you on the other side.
November | December 2017 43