Meet Diana Garrett – a mom of 3 boys and a local artist living in Mount Pleasant, SC. When she’s not in her studio, you can find her spending time with her husband Gabe and sons Dixon, Charles, and Henry. This year, Diana was also chosen as the ‘Supreme Witch’ for the 2nd Annual Old Village Witches Ride and has chosen BBS Family Association as this year’s charity in honor of her son, Henry. The Old Village Witches Ride is a “FUN”draiser created to amplify bad witches doing good and this year’s event will take place on Saturday, October 19th where they ride their brooms from Church Street to Goblet Street in the Old Village section of Mount Pleasant.
Sign up for the Old Village Witches Ride here | Witches are the heart and soul of this event, embodying charity and generosity. Supporting this year’s supreme witch, all witches will contribute a $100 donation to the Bardet Biedl Syndrome Foundation & Family Association in honor of Henry Garrett using their fundraising page: BBS Foundation.
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in Charleston, SC?
I’m originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I went to LSU, where my husband and I met. After he started his residency, we moved to Mt. Pleasant in 2012 and just fell in love with the area. There’s something about the Lowcountry that really feels like home. We loved it so much we decided to stay, even after his residency ended. In fact, we’ve been able to convince my sister and her family to move here too! It’s been amazing having family close by and being part of this incredible community.
Tell us about your family
I’m married to Gabe and a mom of three boys: Dixon (11), Charles (8), and Henry (5). I always had a feeling I’d end up being a boy mom! It’s funny how life sometimes aligns with those little inklings. My older two boys have such distinct personalities and interests, and it’s been incredible to watch them grow into themselves. Henry, my youngest, is the heart of our family. He brings so much joy and light into our lives—he just has this way of completing us. Life is definitely busy with three boys, and some days are downright overwhelming, but it’s the best kind of chaos. It’s a never-ending adventure, and while it’s exhausting at times, it’s also incredibly rewarding.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I don’t know if that many people would be surprised in my inner circle, but I am very introverted. I love spending time at home, solo projects, reading, and painting. I like a lot of calm and quiet, which works out interestingly when you have three very active boys! That’s been one of the blessings of being a working artist—it ensures I have that time for solitude. Putting myself out there with my art feels like the most comfortable way to express myself, but really, I can be quite reserved. Reading a good book in the bath is one of my favorite places to be on earth.
One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?
Just how much you have to take it day by day. The best advice I’ve received is to focus on the present. With Henry’s disorder, the unknown can feel overwhelming, but I’ve learned to appreciate the little victories and milestones because you never know what tomorrow will bring. I try not to put my own expectations on my boys’ futures. Instead, I focus on staying present and watching them become their own unique selves. Life is unpredictable, and Henry has shown us just how much kids are capable of, even when things don’t go as planned. So, I’ve learned to embrace the present and let go of trying to control the future.
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Charleston?
One of our biggest blessings is living in the Old Village, where everything feels close and accessible. Most days, we’re outside—walking, biking, boating, or heading to the beach. It’s one of those places where you don’t have to go far to feel like you’re on an adventure. Henry especially loves being outside, whether it’s playing in the yard or seeing his friends stop by. For him, being able to experience new things while staying close to home where he feels safe and grounded has been really important. It’s such a blessing to have all of this right at our doorstep, especially with Henry needing extra accommodations. We get to create those special moments while still keeping things familiar and comfortable for him.
You were recently nominated as this year’s ‘Supreme Witch’ for the Old Village Witches Ride 2024. Tell us more about this year’s charity, BBS Family Association, in honor of your son, Henry Garrett.
We were so honored and excited to be chosen as this year’s recipients for the OV Witches Ride. This community has been such a gift to our family, especially with the support they’ve shown for Henry. He has Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple systems in the body, including extra digits, kidney function, obesity, and vision. Every person with BBS is different, and the severity of symptoms varies widely. The funds raised from this year’s ride will go directly to the Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Foundation, which is doing incredible work to raise awareness, educate families and practitioners, and fund vital research. Henry recently participated in a clinical trial for a new drug that’s helping kids with BBS manage the obesity component, and the results have been so promising. Seeing directly and being on the receiving end of the BBS Family Foundation, it’s amazing to see them be able to get these donations because I know firsthand how much of a difference they make and how far the dollars go.
Can you tell us more about Henry and the things he loves most?
Henry loves to immerse himself in the world of characters. He loves Daniel Tiger and looking at life through a storytelling lens. Our whole family has adopted that mindset! He adores his big brothers, his neighbors, his teachers, and his therapist. Henry is just such a light. He fully immerses himself in everything that interests him, and it’s so fun for us to see. We’re always reading books, singing songs, telling stories, and playing dress-up. Whatever Henry loves, he loves big.
You are also an incredible artist – what inspired you to start painting your collections?
Thank you!! I’ve always had a deep love for art and creating. Even when I was working as a speech therapist, I would spend my free time exploring different mediums and teaching myself new techniques. Over the past six or seven years, I really found my style and knew it was something I wanted to share with the world. Art is such therapy to me—I love getting lost in a painting for hours. In 2020, with the help of my sister, Victoria Winter, who is a brilliant business consultant, I took the leap to put my work out publicly, and that has been such an amazing journey. Creating for a living and being part of Charleston’s vibrant art community has been an absolute joy. The inspiration I draw from other artists and the support I’ve received have made this whole experience even more rewarding.
Working primarily in acrylics, your paintings are built upon the use of multiple layers of colors, glazes and washes and thoughtful composition. Can you tell us more about your recent collection? How can someone join your commission list?
My latest collection is called “Cabinet of Curiosities”, and it really embodies so much of what I love and what inspires my art. I’m a treasure hunter at heart and love finding beautiful and unexpected things—that’s the energy I bring into my art. When I lay out pieces to start a painting, it’s always a journey to see how it will unfold. This collection brings that full circle and is inspired by the little things that inspire me daily. You can join the commission waitlist on my website, dianagarrettart.com. My sister handles the back end of my business, which is such a joy because it lets me focus on creating, and she’ll be the one responding to inquiries!
Who has most influenced you to be the mom that you are today?
What a beautiful question. My mom has been a fantastic role model for me. She’s always been immersed in work that she loves and finds purpose in, and that’s something I’ve always wanted to emulate. She works in special education, which has been especially helpful as we navigate Henry’s needs. Since my mom was a working mother, I was also fortunate to grow up with help from her village of aunts, cousins, and grandparents, all of whom influenced me in different ways. It was inspiring to see other perspectives and have such a dynamic support system.
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
It’s so hard, and this is advice I am actively giving myself daily, but you have to stay grounded in the present. It’s so easy to fall into the anxiety trap of projecting into the future. But there is so much beauty in watching your kids grow and unfold in ways you would have never expected right before your eyes. My boys are constantly surprising me in the best ways, and it keeps me wanting to grow as well. Kids are so resilient, and we have so much to learn from them!
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Charleston to…
Have Dinner with Family: We are big fans of Bahn Bon Mi takeout for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner!
Grab a Drink with Friends: Wine Shop has been one of the best additions to the neighborhood! The vibes, service, and selection are all spot on and lovely.
Have a Date Night: It’s a hard toss-up between Post House and Obstinate Daughter! I love a dinner with a fresh tray of oysters and a delicious salad, and both places nail it.
Spend time together as a Family: Honestly, at home! We have a revolving door of neighborhood kids in and out, and it’s so fun—there’s always something going on or someone to chat with on the street!
Outside Activities: The beach for sure! My husband Gabe is a surfer, and we like to go as a family. He’s been putting Henry on the board with him, and Henry loves it!
Grab coffee: Brown Fox!
