MOB Spotlight - Dianna Fontes .Artist .Astrologer .Advocate

Dianna’s talent and passion for what she does can make it challenging to explain everything she does and how she does it. She is an artist, an astrologer, an empath, and an advocate.

“I make art. Which on its own is easy to understand, but the art I make is based in a practice that's deeper than just a painting that goes on your wall. Most of what I do is commissioned so it's personal, emotional, soulful and connected to my clients in a way that goes beyond "art" and into magic,” she says.

Dianna’s varied interests find her making jewelry from found objects, up cycling, and making stuffed creatures from upcycled fabric and found objects. She also creates signs and affirmation blocks (called Just Be Blocks). She crochets, sews, and loves to do collaborative projects that are weird and surprising.

On the Astrology side, she gives readings and creates art pieces that are influenced by astrology in different ways, but her work needs to be seen to be understood.

“I've found it's easier to be clear when I am talking to people in person or when my art is present but the digital presentation is more challenging. I am working got that for sure. Obviously people are curious AND bias about Astrology so there is always going to be some explaining and redirecting. I struggle as an Empath to be around a lot of people and that is another thing I am working to manage. I am now studying both Astrology at the Portland School of Astrology AND magic at Blue Iris Mystery School so I know the more I develop my education and experiences the better I will be at expressing what's still bubbling up. Of course THAT is one of them most precious and beautiful things about the MOB overall,” she says.
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Lack of arts education for kids is what originally inspired her work. Over time, that grew into a desire to share art as healing modality. Dianna says, “Process Based Art is so healing and so therapeutic but it's also so fun!”

Although it wasn’t originally planned to be a part of her work, astrology has become an important component. She’s also added in advocacy. “Through the Impact Me Project, I’m trying to make Astrology and Process Based Art more accessible AND to collaborate with more practitioners of magic, creativity and who knows what to see how we can help people think, heal and grow again,” she explains.
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She credits her astrology teacher, Andrea Gerhtz, as someone she looks up to. She’s also been impacted by several fellow MOBs. “Aria, of course, but she is like a sister to me also. And I've worked with Lia Dunlap and she is a triple Leo so she is very helpful to me because I have no fire in me at all really. I also work with Cindy Conlin, she is an acupuncturist and I deeply appreciate her magical influence on me as well,” says Dianna.

She says her biggest struggle has been getting her message into the world. “I have a lot going on and people get overwhelmed. I think people also struggle to purchase my products as a form self care. I think it's seen as a trivial luxury to get art or an astrology reading done. I also struggle to find partnerships or people who can work with me because they also struggle to get my message and often present me with drafts and examples that prove they also don't get it. That is starting to change more and more as I become more clear and practice my craft more and more.”

She advises new business owners to join the MOB. “There is not another resource like it and I can say that coming from a place of remembering the early years. Now it's invaluable and so rich. I am shocked when I ask for help and get 15 choices or ideas.”

She prefers to work with someone who is ready to do the work.

“Astrology is unlike other healing modalities only because it's purpose is to identify the best healing modalities for your uniqueness. It speaks directly to where, when, and how you're stuck. It can be as specific as get acupuncture for your legs or start a daily gratitude practice. It can suggest certain oils or stones or therapies that are going to shoot straight to the heart of the issue the native is currently having. Not all Astrologers really focus on the value of the remediation in Astro. They validate who you are and what you might be going through, they can give you a source for your malady. But a lot of them leave it at that. My teachers are driven to use this tool for the highest good. I know that is why I was so drawn to Portland School of Astrology. They want to ACTIVELY use Astro. So it's less horoscope and more deep, deep process work. I want clients who want to get in there and work. I also want to trade with other practitioners so I can see if they are good referrals and vice versa. This is huge for me too,” she explains.

She says being a part of the MOB makes her feel less alone. “Even though I don't physically participate as much as I want to I always know someone is online. I can just say, HEYYYY and get some kitten memes. Sometimes that is more valuable than a good lead or a referral.”

Dianna says working for herself makes her feel empowered. She loves knowing that she has created her own business.

“Through all of the ups and downs I've never had help from anyone in family (except of course my husband who holds down the survival needs when I have dry spells!) but never from my parents or through any kind of inheritance. My parents never even encouraged me emotionally. I've never had loans or investments. If I had I might not have struggled so hard. But I might not see value in every office supply like I do now. I know what I want to do because I know what I do NOT want to do. I also love that my kids are rad, whole people and that is because I was able to show them what believing in your SELF can do. And also because I got to do more with them. I mean, I worked 90 hour weeks to make up for going on field trips sometimes but now that I am at the end of this journey and my kids are going off to college and finishing high school I can see how worth it all of that sleeplessness was!”
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Connect with Dianna online at:

www.diannafontes.com
www.facebook.com/diannafontesartist/
www.facebook.com/astroartistry.sweetastro/
www.instagram.com/diannafontes.artist/
www.instagram.com/astroartistry/
www.facebook.com/impactmeproject/