Meet 'Codiah'
Carole Diane Heslin
Artist
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Hi, and a warm welcome to my site! I'm Carole Diane Heslin, and I've had a creative bent since my youth. That's also when I donned myself "Codiah" as a way to pronounce my first and middle names more easily.
A native Chicagoan, my earliest memories include drawing fanciful gowns for Cinderella. I enjoyed some early encouragement by having one of my school drawings displayed at the Art Institute.
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As a teen, I began drawing portraits. I also became a White Sox fan and discovered ballplayers would sign my drawings. Several, such as Joe DiMaggio, asked me to do a drawing for them. Naturally, I was delighted later in my career to be invited to display paintings in Mickey Mantle’s New York restaurant for many years.
I've done a number of commissioned portraits and have amassed a large collection of autographed works that includes not just many Hall of Fame baseball players, but celebrities and former US presidents.
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The portraits that have meant the most are the ones I did of the 25 servicemen from a Monroe County, Indiana, who gave their lives in Vietnam.
I've been fortunate to study with some fine artists throughout my life and to receive appreciated acknowledgements. I was the Patron’s Choice recipient at PETA’s 20th anniversary celebration gala and a Manhattan Arts International Merit award winner.
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Five years ago I moved from the Midwest to never dull Washington DC, where I cherished my Georgetown neighborhood. In 2023, I moved to Jersey City NJ, with the most resplendent view of Manhattan right out my studio window. That's when Heartworks was born.
About 'Heartworks'
The subjects I choose to paint as part of Heartworks all have one thing in common: the time spent with each subject brings me deep delight and peace. They warm my heart. I invite to visit each part of the collection.
