Motivation from the Heart:  Diane Roberts

By Arianne Hegeman

Artistic talent is a God-given gift handed down to those who are among the fortunate.  The value cannot be measured until an artist is willing and courageous enough to share that talent with others.  The risk of rejection and misinterpretation prevents many artists from showing the world what their hands create. This is not true of Diane Roberts.

Roberts, a resident of Millville, NJ, is most proud of her artwork when someone’s brief glance turns into a mesmerizing stare that ends in a smile, a sigh, or even a tear.  Those precious moments are what her artwork is all about.

Diane Roberts realized her affection for the arts at an early age while growing up in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.  During her early years, she enjoyed drawing and creating jean jacket illustrations for her friends.  “I had a summer job of illustrating children's books for elementary schools while I was in 10th grade and found out about graphic design from another artist.” Roberts carried her flair for the arts into her college years and earned a degree in Commercial Art at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.  She also attended several illustration classes at The Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan.   

Combining talent with tenacity, Roberts opened an advertising agency in Canada at the young age of 21. Building a business from the ground up allowed her to use her creativity to make quite a name for herself.  Her accounts included top names like Chrysler Canada and Hiram Walker’s Distillery.

But it was not enough.

Another interest took a front seat after she was married in 1991. The role of wife and mother soon took over as top priority and Roberts decided to stay home to raise her three children. Her husband, Ian, is by far, her biggest fan and is the first to sing his wife’s praises.  “Diane had been the owner of a successful advertising agency in Canada and was a major vendor to Daimler-Chrysler, producing everything from showroom brochures for new cars and trucks to other materials for a variety of clients.  I know that as a woman, she had to work twice as hard to achieve the success she did and she did so with grace, poise and dignity.  It was her decision to want to give up the business, which had employed a number of account representatives, creative staff and customer service staff, in favor of her true desire...that of being a mother to Geoffrey, Rebecca and Katie”.  

While Diane’s professional side took a back seat to her husband and children, Robert’s artwork still had a strong presence in her life.  In fact, she found a creative way to combine her artistic talent with another childhood passion. “As a child, I would go with my family to Checker Flag Speedway, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada every Saturday night for the local racing. I loved the smells, the noise and the fun of the little 1/4 mile dirt track”. Rekindling her love of racing, Diane created a portrait of the late Dale Earnhardt as a Christmas gift for her husband.  That gift turned into portrait after portrait.  One her most cherished racing tributes is of her favorite driver; Michael Waltrip. Combining her love of motorsports with her immense talent is a natural fit for Diane Roberts.  This is easy to see when viewing any of Roberts’ works of art. 

Before long, Roberts was soon commissioned for several legendary racing projects.  Her most recent assignment has made her a part of the New JerseyMotorsportsPark, set to open in the spring of 2008. The project that was once only a dream to the residents of Cumberland County, NJ, officially broke ground on September 19^th, 2007. Diane Roberts’ contributions will provide the perfect tribute to the individuals who have dedicated countless hours to the New JerseyMotorsportsPark. “I first became involved when a friend, Doug Weil, introduced me to Donald Fauerbach, who has put his blood, sweat and tears into the project. I was honored to be commissioned to draw a portrait of Leroy Veale, another individual who gave so much to the project. He is greatly missed by all.”   Roberts recently added a portrait of Chris Economaki to her list of masterpieces.  She presented the portrait to Economaki who was on hand for the New JerseyMotorsportsPark ceremony.  Economaki appreciated the fact that the portrait looked a lot like him, which is something Roberts takes pride in hearing. “I work hard to make sure my subjects bear a close resemblance to the individual.  I don’t use my own perspective.  To me, a portrait should look like the person who is being painted or drawn.”

As a resident of the area where the New JerseyMotorsportsPark will operate, Roberts knows the importance of the project for the rural area of Southern New Jersey.   “I hope everyone here can embrace this project and see what a great future the city will have with this huge development. This will put Millville on the map as a destination of choice for years to come. With all that the track will bring directly, we can't forget what it will do overall. The city can support so much more in the way of business, jobs, education and improvements with this project. I can see the arts district flourishing as we bring in a larger audience for what it offers. The burden of attracting business to the area will be lessened and the extra revenue can help to address other issues the city hasn't been able to afford in the past. I can't wait!

Diane is also excited about teaching her children a respect for the arts and has also shared her love of racing with them. “Our son learned to count by race driver numbers when he was about 5 and he could name every driver, crew chief and make of car. My husband still laughs and shakes his head at me when I identify crew chiefs, Busch series drivers, etc. from voice-only on interviews! I just love the sport; it becomes a part of you.”

Roberts artwork has allowed her to make a difference in more than just the racing industry.  “About four years ago, I was asked to do 14 memorial portraits for the New Jersey State Police, Troop A headquarters. I spent 12 weeks drawing the portraits of Troopers killed in the line of duty, from 1929 until the present time. Studying the faces in order to draw each person was a very moving experience, but the most humbling thing was the unveiling of the framed portraits, lining the hallway in the headquarters. To see the family members emotions when seeing them for the first time is something I will never forget, as well as the hugs and compliments on how lifelike they were.”  Her husband adds details of another instance when Diane used her talent to memorialize a perfect stranger who gave all for his country. “When Millville, NJ native U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Walkup lost his life in Afghanistan, Diane did not hesitate to create a memorial work that she presented to his grief stricken parents- not in front of prying media eyes, but in the privacy of their home.  This was a work of love for an American hero.....no money involved, just a small token from one grateful, caring human being” 

Diane Roberts possess a strong desire to share her art with others not only in the world of racing, but within the same community where she is raising her children.  She does not do it for the recognition as she humbly describes the impact her artwork has had on legendary personalities, families and loved ones.  Her motivation comes from the heart and is obvious in every sketch, shadow, and signature.

For more information on Diane Roberts:   EMAIL ARIANNE