Diana Watlington was fascinated by people, nature, and spirituality, and she documented her interests in almost 100 notebooks and journals. Early pieces include sketches of family and friends, poets, and musicians. Later work includes dreamscapes and illustrations of the people and places she encountered while living unhoused.
Part I: Early Sketches and Portraits
These pieces were created mostly before 1997, while Diana was living in Brookline, Concord, and Cambridge, MA. A multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter in her own right, Diana also documented the poets and artists she met in the thriving Boston Area folk scene of the 1990s.
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Year: Before 1982; Location: Massachusetts; Medium: Blue pencil on paper; Dimensions: 17 x 14.; Inventory Number: MA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 1984; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Ted Ruetenik; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown.; Inventory Number: MA217; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 1975; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Ted Ruetenik; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.2 in.; Inventory Number: MA013; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 1975; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Kerry Ruetenik; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown.; Inventory Number: MA010; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: Unknown; Location: Unknown; Medium: Colored pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: 8 x 12.5; Inventory Number: MA020; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: Before 1982; Location: Unknown; Medium: Sumi brush painting; Dimensions: 11 x 17.2; Inventory Number: NA007; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: Before 1982; Location: Unknown; Medium: Sumi brush painting; Dimensions: 11 x 17.2; Inventory Number: NA007c; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: Before 1982; Location: Unknown; Medium: Sumi brush painting; Dimensions: 11 x 17.2; Inventory Number: NA007b; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Evening Primrose
Year: 1985?; Location: Unknown; Medium: Watercolor on paper; Dimensions: 11 x 7.5; Inventory Number: BD140; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 1985?; Location: Unknown; Medium: Watercolor on paper; Dimensions: 11 x 7.5; Inventory Number: BD139; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Milkweed
Year: 1985?; Location: Unknown; Medium: Pen and ink on paper; Dimensions: 11 x 7.5; Inventory Number: BD138; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: Unknown; Location: Unknown; Medium: Indian ink on paper; Dimensions: 13.8 x 6.4; Inventory Number: MA038; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: Unknown; Location: Unknown; Medium: Indian ink on paper; Dimensions: 12.8 x 6.4; Inventory Number: MA039; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Utah
Year: Unknown; Location: Unknown; Medium: Watercolor on paper; Dimensions: 11.2 x 15; Inventory Number: MA099; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Tony Bird
Year: 1987; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Folk musician Tony Bird; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: 15 x 11.2; Inventory Number: MA216; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Tony Bird
Year: 1987; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Folk musician Tony Bird; Medium: Watercolor on paper; Dimensions: 15 x 11.2; Inventory Number: MA213; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Tony Bird
Year: 1987; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Folk musician Tony Bird; Medium: Watercolor on paper; Dimensions: 15 x 11.2; Inventory Number: MA214; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Year: 1992; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Miriam Makeba; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown; Inventory Number: MA247a; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Francis Brewster, Drummer
Year: 1992; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Musician Francis Brewster; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown; Inventory Number: MA247d; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Hugh Masekela
Year: 1992; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Hugh Masekela; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown; Inventory Number: MA247c; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Ryk
Year: 1992?; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Slam Poet Ryk McIntyre; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown; Inventory Number: MA247d; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Danny Solis
Year: 1992?; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Slam Poet Danny Solis; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown; Inventory Number: MA247e; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Richard Cambridge
Year: Unknown; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Slam Poet Richard Cambridge; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown; Inventory Number: MA074; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Benson Wheeler / Wish to fly with my bird of fantasy
Year: 1992?; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Slam Poet Benson Wheeler; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown; Inventory Number: MA074f; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Billy Barnum
Year: 1992?; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Poet and Performer Billy Barnum; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown; Inventory Number: MA074g; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Tim Mason
Year: 1992?; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Slam poet Tim Mason; Medium: Pencil sketch on paper; Dimensions: Unknown; Inventory Number: MA074h; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Utah Philips
Year: Unknown; Location: Massachusetts; Subject: Folk musician Utah Philips; Medium: Oil on paper; Dimensions: 17 x 14; Inventory Number: MA073; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Dying Sunflower
Year: 1995; Location: Massachusetts; Medium: Watercolor and pencil on paper; Dimensions: 11.2 x 7.8; Inventory Number: MA077; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Part II: Late Notebook Art and Other Work
The following art was created between 1998 and 2020, while Diana was living unhoused and traveling around the United States, staying for extended times in Albuquerque, San Diego, and Portland, ME. Framed often as journal entries and dream diaries, these pieces represent a small fraction of the work she created during this time. During these years, her art turned increasingly toward Christian themes, as she drew closer to her faith.
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Notebook art from California journal, year 2000; Inventory Number: CA012; Subject: Diana's father, Frank Watlington, was the first person to record the songs of the humpback whales. This image is likely showing humpback whale communication. Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Whippet and BMW Motor Bike in the Fall Leaves
Notebook illustrations from Massachusetts and Georgia journal, year 1998; Inventory Number: MA244; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook art from California journal, year 1999; Inventory Number: CA011; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
At the Wildflower Inn
Year: 1998; Medium: Watercolor on paper; Dimensions: 7.9 x 10.5; Inventory Number ME026a; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook art from California journal, year 1999; Inventory Number: CA012; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 1999?; Medium: Watercolor on paper; Dimensions: 11 x 17; Inventory Number NA024b; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Lowland Gorilla
Year: 1999?; Medium: Watercolor on paper; Dimensions: 11 x 17; Inventory Number NA024; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
He Shall Speak Peace
Notebook art from California journal, year 1999; Inventory Number: CA013; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Yet in My Flesh I Will See God
Notebook art from California journal, year 1999; Inventory Number: CA013; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye, My People Saith Your God
Notebook art from California journal, year 1999; Inventory Number: CA013; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
A Different Kind of Christmas / Supper in San Diego After Business Hours
Notebook illustrations from California journal, year 1999; Inventory Number: CA013; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
From Inside the Bear's Den
Notebook illustration from Massachusetts and Georgia journal, year 1999; Inventory Number: MA244; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
"Horse" or Horace(?) Preparing Ceremonial Corn
Notebook illustration from Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona journal, year 2000; Inventory Number MA245; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Star of India
Notebook illustration from Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona journal, year 2000; Inventory Number MA245; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Mother and Child Sleeping on the Bus
Notebook illustration from Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona journal, year 2000; Inventory Number MA245; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Petrified Forest: Painted Desert--On the Way to Winslow, Arizona
Notebook illustration from Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona journal, year 2000; Inventory Number MA245; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Pheonix Greyhound Terminal: Mother, Father, and Baby
Notebook illustration from Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona journal, year 2000; Inventory Number MA245; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
2 French Women and a Young Boy. Au Bon Pain, Harvard Square.
Notebook illustration from Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona journal, year 2000; Inventory Number MA245; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona journal, year 2000; Inventory Number MA245; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Onandaga Coffee
Notebook illustration from Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona journal, year 2000; Inventory Number MA245; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Corn Emerging / Mound Builder
Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Two Hummingbirds...
Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Museum of Natural History, NYC. Blue Jay.
Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from journal, year 1998; Inventory Number NA019; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Eagle Dance
Notebook illustration from New Mexico and Arizona journal, year 2002; Inventory Number NM022; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Indian Pueblo Center
Notebook illustration from New Mexico and Arizona journal, year 2002; Inventory Number NM022; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Waiting for Work / Pacesetter
Notebook illustration from Texas journal, year 1998; Inventory Number TX001; Ownership: Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Clear Fork of Brazos River
Notebook illustration from Texas journal, year 1998; Subject James Harvey; Inventory Number: TX001; Ownership: Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Sierra Blanca Texas, Near El Paso
Notebook illustration from Texas journal, year 1998; Inventory Number: TX001; Ownership: Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from New Mexico journal, year 1999; Inventory Number: NM011; Ownership: Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Aquarium Bio Park
Year: 1999; Medium: Pencil and pastel on paper; Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.7; Inventory Number: NM011; Ownership: Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 1999; Medium: Pencil and pastel on paper; Dimensions: 11.2 x 7.5; Inventory Number NM014; Ownership: Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Notebook illustration from New Mexico journal, year 1999; Inventory Number: NM012; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
Thru The Archway: Old Town Albuquerque
Notebook illustration from New Mexico journal, year 2005; Inventory Number NM021; Ownership: Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
The Beginning or the End of Time / Aleph: Alpha and Omega with Big Ben
Year: 2002; Medium: Embroidered fabric; Dimensions: 18 x 15; Inventory Number NA030; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 2005; Location: Bermuda; Inventory Number BD182; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 2005; Location: Bermuda; Inventory Number BD182; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 2005; Location: Bermuda; Inventory Number BD182; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: Unknown; Location: Bermuda; Inventory Number BD115d; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 2008; Location: Portland, Maine; Inventory Number ME032; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.
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Year: 2008; Location: Portland, Maine; Inventory Number ME032; Ownership: Diana Watlington Estate. Not for sale.