Clarendon Hills based artist DIANE CRITES is best known for her contemporary paintings and drawings. She works predominantly with oil, acrylic, natural elements, charcoal, graphite, and ink in her third-floor studio. You can find her most recent work at Virgil Catherine Gallery in Hinsdale, Anecdote in La Grange, and on her Instagram @dianecritesart.

Who is your role model?

My Mom. She always supported my artistic talent and pushed me to foster it. I grew up surrounded by her art-—the sounds of her sewing machine, her paint and pencils, her beautiful interior designs, her hydrangea and peony gardens, her Architectural Digest magazine collection, and hand-painted Christmas cards. She taught me how to draw (“this is how you make the eyes look real”), paint, and how to carve out time for creating, all while being a mom.

How do you impact your clients?

One of the biggest compliments I receive from clients is that my work makes them happy every day.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

My kids, my family, travel, and nature.

What organizations do you enjoy promoting?

Hinsdale Juniors Woman’s Club, Clarendon Hills Infant Welfare Society, Chicago Boys and Girls Club, Simply From the Heart, and Hinsdale Historic Society.

What is your fashion style?

Favorite jeans (current: Agolde) and a favorite white tee—no aprons over here, bring on the mess!

What is your advice to future power women?

Let your passion be your work.

For more information follow Diane on Instagram at @dianecritesart.