Natural Expressions | Outer Banks Artist, Diane Luke Barth
March came in…spring has sprung. The swans are leaving…and the ospreys have arrived. Our location – along the Town of Duck’s soundside boardwalk – allows us to watch the ever-evolving pace of nature here on the Outer Banks of North Carolina...and having a front row seat to watch the comings and goings along the Atlantic Flyway is really quite special.
A step inside Beach Treasures in Duck provides another kind of opportunity to see the nature we cherish here on this fragile barrier island…but through the eyes of many of our local artisans. Creatures in the sea or soaring in the skies are depicted on canvas, photography, stained glass, even painted windows. Even our jewelry designers embrace our coastal environment with exquisite handcrafted pieces reminiscent of the beach.
Diane Luke Barth, Kill Devil Hills resident and local artist, is beloved for how she expresses her passion for horses and nature such as the variety found on the Outer Banks. From eye to brush to canvas, Diane has a unique way of painting wildlife, sometimes combining horses with other nature-related subject matter. Her work is a unique mix of method and magic...of subject and the subjective.
One of our newest pieces from Diane is pictured here – a red-headed sandhill crane – a large wading bird much like our familiar great blue herons, with its elegance that draws attention. Often seen standing silently along the edge of the Currituck Sound, I never forget how fortunate we are to be visited by our avian friends that wade in the water.
Strolling the boardwalk in search of nature is a wonderful pastime here in Duck… and if a guided walk is of interest to you, be sure to check out the Nature on the Boardwalk events presented by the Town of Duck and sponsored by local merchants. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that so many of our visitors and shoppers are seeking a piece of local art…one that captures what has inevitably captured their hearts or imaginations while spending time on the Outer Banks.
I invite you to visit us to learn more about all of the local artists showcased here at Outer Banks Gifts Online as well as in our shop, Beach Treasures in Duck located exclusively on the Town of Duck’s Boardwalk on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.