About the Artist

Lyn Diefenbach - Biography

The pursuit of masterly quality and technique is a high priority for Lyn Diefenbach whose work is imbued with a celebration of her faith and of life. Her paintings in pastel and oil cover a myriad of subject matter with her bold florals consistently receiving accolades nationally and internationally. Her ability to communicate her ideas has entrenched her as a respected and sought-after tutor, with teaching engagements internationally and across Australia.

Lyn was accepted into the International Guild of Realism in 2008, and holds Master Pastellist status with the Pastel Society of Australia. Lyn was awarded Eminent Pastellist status in the International Association of Pastel Societies in 2019, having achieved master Circle status with that group in 2014. Lyn was accepted into the Pastel Society of America as a Signature Member in 2016. She has been featured numerous times in the International Artist, Pastel Journal,Pratique des Arts and Australian Artist magazines.

Recent Awards:
2025 International Association of Pastel Societies 46^th Open Division and 14^th Master Circle Division	Judge of awards for both divisions
2024 Portrait Society of America 2024 Members Only Competition	"I am not Afraid" - 8th place in "Outside the Box" section
2024 International Association of Pastel Societies 12th Master Circle Exhibition	"Rhapsody in Red" - Award of Excellence
18th Juried International Guild Of Realism EXHIBITION at Brennen Fine Art in Scottsdale, AZ.	"Life in a Bubble"
2023 Brisbane Portrait Prize	"I Am Not Afraid" selected as finalist
2023 International Guild of Realism Fall Salon Online Exhibition	"The Light Revealed"
2022 IAPS Juried Webshow - 9th Master Circle Division	“Radiant Profusion”
3rd Zhuhai China International Pastel Invitational Exhibition	“The Light Revealed”
The Gallery Holt (UK) Pastel Exhibition – Colour and Shape 2022	“Reflecting in Paris” “Set Apart”
2022 Pastel Society of Australia Annual Awards	"The Light Revealed" Winner of Still Life Section
2022 IAPS Juried Pastel World Exhibition - 8th Master Circle Division	“Reflecting History”
2022 Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal Magazine)	Competition Judge, Florals and Still Life Section
IAPS 2021 Webshow 7th Master Circle Division	“The Pearl Within”
37th IAPS Juried Webshow 2020	“Juxtaposed”
36th IAPS Juried Exhibition 2020	“Rapt in Red”
Centenary of Pastel in China, October 2019	One of only 6 International Pastellists invited to present and demonstrate at this event "Radiant Profusion" selected for the exhibition
35th IAPS Juried Webshow 2019	“Bubbling Over”
IAPS 5th Masters Circle Pastel World Exhibition 2019	“Timeless Beauty”
2018 Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal Magazine)	“Joy in the Desert” – 2nd Place, Still Life + Floral “Bubbling Over” – Honorable Mention, Portrait + Figures
33rd IAPS Juried Exhibition – 2018 Webshow	“Reflecting in Paris” Selected
Pastellist of the Year – Australian Pastel Society Annual Awards 2018	“Reflecting in Paris”
Winner, Scapes Section – Australian Pastel Society Annual Awards 2018	“Reflecting in Paris”
2nd Place Still Life and Florals Section – Australian Pastel Society Annual Awards 2018	“Joy in the Desert”
Selected for 3rd China (Suzhou) Biennial International Pastel Exhibition 2018	“Joyful Abundance” Selected
31st Juried IAPS Exhibition 2017	“Season of Hope” and “Spring’s Promise” Selected
4th IAPS Master Circle Exhibition 2017	“In the Light of History” Selected
29th Juried IAPS Exhibition – Web Exhibition 2016	“Upon Reflection” – Founder’s Award
Selected for 2nd China (Suzhou) Biennial International Pastel Exhibition	“Cascading Glory” – selected work
Pastellist of the Year, 2016 Pastel Society of Australia	“Emma-San” won Pastellist of the Year and Portraiture section “Iridescence” Commended in Still Life & Floral
2016 28^th Juried IAPS Exhibition, Salmagundi Gallery, New York	“Life’s Little Complexities” – Selected
2015/16 International Guild of Realism Museum Masterworks Touring Exhibition	“Reflections on a Journey 4 – Behind the Mask” – accepted work
3^rd Master Circle Exhibition IAPS	“Iridescence” Selected
2014 IAPS 24^th Juried Exhibition	“A Heart Revealed” accepted finalist
2013 Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal Magazine)	“Gum Blossoms” 3^rd Place, Florals
2013 23^rd IAPS Juried Exhibition – Web Exhibition	“Transition” accepted finalist
2013 International Artist Competition #77 – Flowers and Gardens	First Prize “Pure Joy”
2012 Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal Magazine)	Honourable Mention with “Bellissimo”
2011 Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal Magazine)	Honourable Mention with “Resonance”
2010 International Association of Pastel Societies Web Exhibition	“Peaches and Cream” accepted finalist
2010 Juried Exhibition International Guild of Realism	Best Floral – “Extravaganza” Exhibition in J. Willott Gallery, Palm Desert, California
2010 Art of the Blossom Virtual Exhibition Gallery	“Heart and Soul” Selected Entry
2009 International Association of Pastel Societies Web Exhibition	4th place with “Joyous Profusion”
2009 Spirit of the Outback Waltzing Matilda Art Show and Competition	First Prize Open Painting and People’s Choice “Time Stands Still”
2006 International Artist Competition #32 – Flowers and Gardens	Second Prize “Transcending Grace”
2006 Australian Artist Competition #23 -Flowers and Gardens	First Prize “Anointed”
2005 Australian Artist Competition #19 -Your Favourite Subject	Third Prize “True Blue”
2004 Spirit of the Outback Arts Festival	People’s Choice “True Blue”
2004 Australian Artist Competition #15 -Flowers and Gardens	First Prize “Acclamation”
2003 Spirit of the Outback Arts Festival	People’s Choice
2003 Capricorn Coast Arts Festival	First Prize, Drawing Section People’s Choice
2002 Spirit of the Outback Arts Festival	First Prize, Works on Paper
2001 Capricorn Coast Arts Festival	First Prize, Central Queensland Theme
2000 City of Rockhampton Art Competition	First Prize, Open Section “Lost Between the Moon and New York City”
2000 Capricorn Coast Arts Festival	People’s Choice (Open Painting Entry) Judge’s Commendation, Portraiture
2000 Winton Spirit of the Outback Festival	People’s Choice “The Spirit Lives On”