The Colors of Courage

Diane Krek is an award-winning artist and advocate for the visually impaired.

If you have attended a state, regional or local art show, it’s very possible you’ve come across Canonsburg artist Diane Krek and her beautiful, inspiring artwork. A member of the Greater Canonsburg Lions Club along with her husband, Melvin, Diane has not only overcome personal challenges but has also used her artistic talents to advocate for vision awareness and raise funds for research.

Diane’s artistic journey is deeply personal. Growing up, she was influenced by her mother, who was an oil painter, and honed her talents under the guidance of Mt. Lebanon High School art instructor Mark Pelusi.

“I enjoyed art classes at Mt. Lebanon High School,” she says. “Mr. Mark Pelusi inspired me and refined my skills with different courses, challenging me to explore macrame, ceramics, loom weaving, batik (hot wax printing) and painting. I was selected as a best art student and painted an 8' x 8' wall mural in the fine arts department at the school.”

Diagnosed in 1990 with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic retinal disease that leads to progressive vision loss, Diane has faced her challenges with remarkable resilience. In 2012, as her vision deteriorated, she could no longer work, and transitioned into advocacy for the blind and visually impaired.

She rekindled her lifelong passion for art and, in 2015, established BLT Art—focusing on painting acrylics on canvas. Her artwork incorporates bears, lighthouses and trains (“BLT”), and symbolizes the things that she and her husband cherish while raising awareness for vision loss. Diane donates 20 percent of all sales to blindness and vision research organizations.

“I love bears—real or stuffed—lighthouses, and trains, and decided to incorporate all three of these items into my paintings,” says Diane. “I do it as a vision awareness thing; if you have good eyesight, you should be able to find these items in my artwork. Sometimes they are hidden and sometimes they are in plain view. They can be actual items, words or related items to BLT.”

Over time, as her vision declined, Diane adapted her techniques using painter’s tape, magnifiers, specialized lighting and assistive technology to continue creating.

Her talent has gained international recognition. In 2023, Diane entered “Autumn in Harmony”—a painting of the New Presque Isle Lighthouse—into an international art contest hosted by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). She was given the prestigious Visioneer Award, recognizing her work within the blind and low vision community. This honor led to an invitation to the APH Convention in Louisville, where her painting was exhibited and celebrated.

Inspired by the competition, Diane reached out to the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children (WPSBC) to encourage student participation in future contests. Her dreams became reality in 2024—not only did she win first place in the adult category with her piece “Matthews House,” but a student from WPSBC also won first place in her category.

Diane has since dedicated herself to fundraising for WPSBC and other charities, channeling proceeds from raffles, donations and artwork sales to support the school.

Diane and Melvin’s commitment to raising awareness for blindness and low vision was recognized in April 2023 when they received the International President’s Certificate of Recognition at the District 14-M Lions regional convention from District Governor Mark Ellsworth and International Director Allen Snider.

Beyond her artwork, Diane actively shares her story and resources at art shows, speaking engagements and fundraising events. She directs those who are experiencing vision loss to organizations such as the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Vision Services of Washington-Greene and the PA Council of the Blind. She also raises funds for various vision-related charities, including Leader Dogs for the Blind and Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Diane’s mantra, “Where there is a will, there is a way,” embodies her approach to life and art. She refuses to let vision loss define her, and instead uses her talents to inspire others and bring attention to the needs of the visually impaired community.

Through her paintings, advocacy and fundraising efforts, Diane continues to make a profound impact, proving that perseverance and passion can overcome any obstacle.

To view and purchase Diane’s work, visit her portfolio at bltart.com.