At the age of 10, standing in front of a landscape painting on a school field trip, Dianne Therien fell in love with color and the beauty of art.

“I was so excited and overwhelmed by the brush strokes and mixing of color that brought life to the canvas,” said Therien, a member of the Mason Area Painters and a resident of Liberty Twp. “Even as a child, I felt my fingers knew how to paint like that.”

Although her intuition eventually proved to be correct, it was years before Therien got up the nerve to pick up a paint brush.

“I had come from an abusive childhood and was never exposed to that kind of thing as a child,” she said. “I didn’t have the courage or anyone to encourage me. Later, I was divorced and raising three children by myself with no money. I believed everyone who told me ‘oh, everyone thinks they can paint.’ ”

That all changed after age 50 when Therien remarried and her new husband encouraged her interest in art. Over the past 20 years, she has become a signature member of the Cincinnati Art Club, The Mason Area Painters Group, The Deerfield -Mason Art alliance and The Middletown Arts. She exhibits her paintings at a studio in the Pendleton Art Center in Middletown.

Therien, who can be found each Monday painting with the Mason Area Painters at the Snider House, has been dubbed “a master of soft edges.”

“That’s because a lot of my paintings have a misty feel,” Therien said of her oil landscapes that often picture tropical birds and seascapes. She has just begun painting faces, most recently of women from the 1940s in hats.

“I enjoy the challenge of different styles and eras,” said Therien, who is now transferring her art onto greeting cards.

Therien paints in a small studio in her home and takes her seascapes from photos she’s taken while on vacation in Siesta Key, Fla.

We chatted with Therien about the important role art now plays in her life.

Q: How did you eventually begin to pursue your interest in art?

A: As I grew up, my heart became drawn to the Cincinnati Museum of Art, and after I retired, I was thrilled to volunteer there as a front desk receptionist. I enjoyed the feeling of eager people smiling and ready to see the beauty of this art museum — school children and people from other countries.

I remember seeing what looked like an India princess wearing a traditional gown of silk and many colors. Body guards surrounded her and one came forward to buy a ticket. I was amazed at the whole scene. Later at lunch, I even sat close to them. What a thrill this was for me.

I also enjoyed touring the museum myself. I may sound silly, but I loved just being in the building and experiencing all that art. A few years later, I had the privilege of taking my first art class there. My class was on Saturday morning, so afterwards I would walk through the museum and admire the works of art.

I began taking classes in my 50s and found that painting with oils gives the fluidity of movement I desire. I soon became taken in by the whole process of seeing colors of paint mixing together forming lovely images. I love color, and at times get carried away with the fun of it all.

Q: What artists inspired you?

A: I was inspired by the old masters — Monet, Renoir and Sargent: their use of color along with brush strokes creating atmosphere and mood. I studied with Bob Hebenstreit at the Cincinnati Art Institute, Don Dennis, Christopher Brian and Laura Livingston at the Middletown Arts Center, Greg Storer of Mason.

My favorite artist is Chuck Marshall of Mason because I admire his brush strokes and use of colors. He makes oil paint glow by laying in opposite colors next to one another, along with the ability to create a movement and mood. Currently I am taking painting classes from him.

Q: In what ways do you think the arts impact our lives?

A: For me, learning to paint gives satisfaction and joy. The arts in any form takes me out of the ordinary, and that brings freshness to my life. The arts will challenge our minds and give a deeper meaning to life. Trying new things and the excitement it brings is worthy of attention.

Q: What is your biggest challenge as an artist?

A: For me, one of the biggest challenges is to stay focused and finish a painting, another is to keep moving forward and continue to critique at the Cincinnati Art Club, where I hear and see great painters and get the best critiques of my work.

Q: How do envision a perfect day that would incorporate the arts?

A: If I had the energy it would look like this: I would get up early and paint for a few hours, then go the Cincinnati Museum of Art, have lunch there and end the evening at Music Hall to hear our symphony. And my wonderful husband would accompany me!

Q: What’s on your bucket list when it comes to the arts?

A: My dreams see me as painting in a large studio — producing the paintings I see in my head. One wish would be painting the hillsides of southern Italy.

Q: What advice would you give to parents and grandparents regarding how to interest their children in the arts?

A: This is an important question for me because my eyes were opened as a young child in grade school. You never know what a child is going through at home.

Seeing those paintings awoke in me a stirring that has never stopped. We may think that children aren’t taking anything in when in fact we may be opening their future. Children learn by what they see and hear. Take them to experience all forms of art.