Memory and experience in the natural world significantly influence Kilgore Condon’s prolific painting practice. Flora and fauna inspire her compositions while a deeper narrative that relates to personal history influences the painted worlds that Kilgore Condon creates. The rich build up of color and densely painted compositions elicit the feeling of time passing while simultaneously evoking a sense of urgency. It’s as though the viewer is witnessing a spectacular event that happens so quickly it might be missed if not for the careful control of Kilgore Condon’s brush and the dexterity with which she is able to articulate the splendor that exists in places uncommon to observation.

To get to know Diane a bit better, we asked for a few of her favorites:

1) What’s your favorite art or design book?  

◊ Tuscan Artists at Home and Kit Kemp! I love Cabana also.

2) What’s your favorite bird?  

◊ Eastern Phoebes and Cedar Waxwings, Mockingbirds and I like to paint Bitterns.

3) Are you a night owl or an early bird? 

◊ Both. But it seems nicer at night than to be up at 5:30 a.m.  Maybe because if it's 5:30, I start working. At night, I don't, because you don't sleep well with a head full of work energy. But sometimes, I just sit on the porch and watch the sun rise/ moon rise. Then it's nice either way.

4) Favorite restaurant in Greenville? 

◊ Trappe Door, Kitchyn Sink and el Mocajete

5) Do you have a favorite painter? 

◊ Peter Doig, Jennifer Bartlett, Anselm Keifer - maybe even in that order

6) What’s your favorite vacation spot? 

◊ I like to think I live on Tybee Island and just commute to Greenville for work. I guess I miss Florida, where I went to high school and was blissfully happy the whole time. Or, Italy. Always Italy.

7) Do you have a favorite paint color?

◊ Green. Blue. Actually, no. They all are cool at the right time.

8) Do you have a favorite painting in your current exhibition? 

◊ Yes. But it might be different later, so I would rather wait to see.

9) What was your favorite subject in grade school?

◊ I rocked phonics. I loved literature and biology. I had a french tutor and loved that too. Also, civics. We would benefit greatly with a return to civics. 

10)  Do you have a favorite season?

◊ I have always loved Spring, but the silence of winter is really  welcome as of late.