I kept thinking about “A Little Night Music” and space and music in space. "The Planets" symphony came to mind and the Planets Violin was born. I like the way the planets orbit around the violin starting with the Sun and down the bridge with Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars and then turning to the back with Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto. I added sparkle to the strings for the stars of the Milky Way and the sounds of the music. I hope the winner of this violin will be transported to the planets and the stars listening to Gustav Holst's "The Planets."
Diane Calkins was raised in Denver and earned her BFA degree from the University of Colorado. Ms. Calkins continues to study art by attending classes at the Denver Art Students League, Foothills Art Center, Red Rocks Community College and at several museums. Her work has been on display at numerous shows including the Colorado Watercolor Society Exhibit in 2001, the Colorado Visions Art Exhibit, the Boulder Art Association's National Exhibit, and most recently the Westminster Community Artist Series in 2004. She and her husband own CD Graphics, a Desktop Publishing company in Highlands and in 2000 opened a gallery at the same location where she exhibits her work. She is a member of the Colorado Watercolor Society and the Glenwood Springs Art Guild. Ms. Calkins' paintings can be found in numerous private collections around the country.
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