Happy Birthday, Diane
AmperArt #140 is inspired by a gift from my friend, a really cool ampersand sculpture that lights up. She signs her name with the words “Love & Light” which gave this piece its title. But truly, Diane is the personification of love & light. The background is also inspired by her, as she is always admiring cloud formations. I am issuing AmperArt #140 Love & Light on Diane L. Donohue’s 60th Birthday, August 6, 2019.
Her BIG 6‑OH is a really big deal because Diane was not supposed to live past 58. At least that’s what the doctors said. More about that later.
60 Smart & Strong
Diane L. Donohue is the creator of 60 Smart & Strong, a series of podcasts & the website to inspire women & men who are 60 & better to live their lives to the fullest…like Diane does.
I met Diane less than a year ago (seems I’ve known her all my life, she’s that kind of soul) at a group of aspiring artists & writers where I was offering my services pro bono which I do a couple times a year. She took me up on my offer to design a logo & a website. Here is the original sketch, but before I had the chance to refine it too much, she requested that I keep it pretty much the same, as she likes things “perfectly imperfect.”
Her website, 60smartandstrong.com, is still being developed but it is live if you want to take a look. (Please subscribe & you will be the first to see her series of snappy, inspiring videos.) If nothing else you will enjoy her list of “Diane-isms” to enlighten & brighten your life.
Here are just a few:
No excuses = No regrets
Healthy Thoughts = Healthy Actions
Gratitude is a magic wand that turns everything you have…into everything you want.
Your batteries are in your feet.
You’re not sweating, darling; you’re detoxing!
If you want more energy, eat more energy foods.
I don’t diet, I just don’t buy it.
When life gets mental…you get physical!
If it shouldn’t be, it wouldn’t be.
The C word
According to the doctors, Diane was not going to live past August, 2018 — one year ago. But you wouldn’t know anything is wrong if you met this amazing lady. Always smiling, upbeat, laughing, giving, she brightens every space around her — kind of like that ampersand lamp she gave me! Diane walks her talk, eating healthy & constantly exercising, teaching a strength & cardio class no less, several days a week. All while being fully aware she’s living with stage 4 breast cancer, discovered six years ago. I have never known anyone so full of love & light as Diane. She’s amazing, embracing life to the fullest & accepting death as something just meant to be.
(I refuse to believe she won’t be around another 10 or 20 years. This world needs people like her to keep them loving & laughing & smiling — and if Diane were to edit this she would add eating right & exercising!)
Happy BIG 6‑OH Diane!
Wishing you Love & Light for many years to come.
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Rants & raves mostly about design, sometimes about the universe.
An occasional bit of useful advice.
desimonedesign.com/chaz-sez
Production notes for #140 Love & Light:
Original size: 20x30 inches
Program: Adobe Photoshop
Font: Rockwell
Ampersand: a special gift from a special friend
Credits:
Clouds image: depositphotos.com
Note: “&” replaces “and” in most or all text, including quotations, headlines & titles.
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To download a full-size high-resolution 11x17-inch poster, click on the image.
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