About the artist:

Born in Charlotte, NC in June 1940. Grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Having reached retirement age after serving as a hospital chaplain and a senior associate minister for over twenty years, Rev. L. Dianna Flournoy has been divinely led to concentrate her holistic and spiritual energies on utilizing her unique God-given creative talent and gifts in a full-time art ministry creating Christian Art for the the Black Church and home. She won her first awards for art during her early elementary school years. The first painting produced under divine guidance, "Suffer the Children", won her first prize in a US Armed Forces international competition in 1979. Returned home to Charlotte in 1983 Awarded a 4-year New Dimension Fellowship by Queens College, Charlotte, NC in 1984; BGS in English and Communications 1988. Ordained a minister (deacon), A.M.E. Zion Church 1986; Elder 1988. Completed 2 year advanced study for Chaplin in a Clinical Pastoral Education program at Carolinas Medical Hospital 1990 Served as Senior Associate Minister or Asst. Pastor at 5 churches. Associate Pastor of Walls Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church 13 years. Veteran of 8 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves Primarily self-taught; Preferred medium is acrylic, recently returned to her first love, oil painting More than 40 one-person and group showings. Won numerous awards for painting. Art in church, corporate, and private collections across the country Primary artist/illustrator for the the A.M.E. Zion Church Dept. of Church School Literature for over 23 years.