the woman behind the art
MEET DIANE
ABOUT ME
It was my mom who got me my first set of watercolors and sent me to summer camps that included painting and pottery. I have always loved making stuff, even as a little kid. My early career was in scenic design for theatre, film, televiion, and theme parks,. I got to design some very big things and watch them being built.
After my daughter was born, I consulted with clients on a variety of interior spaces. I also turned to teaching in early childhood education. As my daughter grew up and retirement drew near, I decided to pick up my paint brushes, and make stuff again. So almost 10 years later I have the body of work you see on these pages.
Even though the process of making almost anything can be frustrating, it’s important to trust yourself and keep going.
For me, making abstract art mirrors the uncertainty and adventure of living — unpredictable and always moving forward.
BACKGROUND
I received my BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Denver, and went on to earn an MFA in Scenic Design from New York University Tisch School of the Arts. That foundation gave me a wonderful career in design. I became an associate designer on the world tour of Phantom of the Opera, a handful of Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway productions. My design journey also included themed attractions, television, film, and interior design.
EDUCATION
MFA, Scenic Design and Art Direction
BA, Theatre Arts
EXPERIENCE
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Exploring Oil & Cold Wax Medium Workshop, Crealde Art
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Art Workshop for Kids, Crealde Art
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Seminar for theater students, Dartmouth College
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Sponsored by Universal Studios Florida and Paul Newman, Theatre — Designer/Art Director, Grand Drape; Green Room and Restroom Interiors
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Art Direction Consultant, Paramount Studios’ Nickelodeon attractions
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Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, Orlando, Art Director
Cincinnati Theatre Ensemble, Cincinnati, Ohio, Scenic Artist
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Art Director:
Weinerville, TV series
Roundhouse, TV series
Get the Picture, TV game show, 1991 Ace Award Nominee
Celebrity Double Dare
Humongous game show pilot
NBA/Celebrity Double Dare TV Special
Kid’s World Council, predecessor to “The Big Help, ” featuring newscaster Linda Ellerbee and VIce President Al Gore
Go For It, TV game show pilot and predecessor to “Guts”
Humongous, TV game show pilot
Tomorrow People, US TV pilot
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Art Director/Designer:
Kongfrontation Themed Attraction
Jaws Themed Attraction
Hitchcock Pavillion Attraction
Hitchkitsch — Pre-Show Multi-Media 3D Wall Sculpture, 25’0”h x 9’0”w
Rear Window, Apartment set Interiors
Hollywood Fright Nights
Beetlejuice Stage
Paul Revere and the Raiders Stage
Frankenstein Theatre
Ghostbusters Street Show
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Phantom of the Opera, Los Angeles and World Tour, Maria Bjornson, Designer
1989 Siegfreid & Roy, Las Vegas, John Napier Designer
Other People’s Money, Off-Broadway, David Jenkins, Designer
Carnival, Cleveland Playhouse, David Jenkins, Designer
Elephant Man, Scale Set Model, New York Theatre Exhibit, Frick Museum, David Jenkins, Designer
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Heat and Silence, Independent film, Winner Best Art Direction, NYU Film Festival NY
The Book and the Stranger, Off-Broadway, La Mama Theatre, New York City NY
Aunt Dan and Lemon, Off-Broadway play, Paul Weidner, Director, New York City NY
Much Ado About Nothing, Off-Broadway, Paul Walker director, New York City NY
Three Sisters, Off-Broadway, Paul Walker director, New York City NY
Long Day’s Journey into Night, Arvada Center for the Arts, Denver CO
Look Back in Anger, Metropolitan State University, Denver CO
Antigone, Metropolitan State UniversityDenver CO
The Philadelphia Story, Little Theatre of the Rockies CO
Uncommon Women, Little Theatre of the Rockies CO
COMMISSIONS
St. Lukes Lutheran Church and School, Oviedo FL
A Night in Bethlehem, Art Director/Designer, Eight sets for the Christmas Walking Tour
Vacation Bible School Scenery, Set Designer, 4 summers
Classroom Doors opening into the Outdoor Classroom in the style of author/illustrator Eric Carle —15 doors
Pretend Garden, Church Nursery Mural, 9’-0”h x 16’-0”w
Train Up a Child In the Way He Should Go…. Preschool Entrance Portico, Two 30”h x 40”w paintings
Alpha to Omega — Three continuous murals in the Church Library, 4’-0”h x 51’-0” total feet long
100 Unique Margarita Glasses, in honor of St. Lukes 100 Anniversary, sold at auction
Miscellaneous Commission Projects
Ascension, Tryptich, 78”h x 9’0”w
Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Orlando FL
Child’s Toy Chest, theme “Fly Me to the Moon,” in the style of Grant Wood
Boys’ Bunk Bed and Chest of Drawers, theme “Castle of Lost Socks and the Dragon Who Ate Them”
I Remember That Kiss, 60th Wedding Anniversary Double Portrait
PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS
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Miami Art Basel Week, Miami International Fine Arts, Doral FL
ORIGINS: The History & Science of Abstract Art, Orlando Science Center, Orlando FL
Annual Top Choice Exhibition, SOBO Art Gallery, Winter Garden FL (1st Place in Mixed Media)
Creativa: Woman Made Art Exhibit, Osceola Arts Center, Kissimmee FL
Herstory, Kissimmee City Hall, Kissimmee FL
100% Florida, Fifth Avenue Gallery, Melbourne FL
14th National Biennial Art Exhibition, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda FL
Visual Fringe, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Fringe Festival for the Arts, Orlando FL
Essential Uncertainty, Veterans Memorial Library, St. Cloud FL
Dream In City Light, City Light Art Collective, Orlando FL
Connections, Third Level Gallery, Orlando FL
Crealdé School of Art Fellowship Special Exhibit, Faith Arts Village, Orlando FL
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13th National Biennial Art Exhibit, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL
Road Work, Maitland Public Library, Maitland, FL
Orlando Foundation for Architecture, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando, FL Third Prize for Road Work #12
Artistic Unity, Osceola Center for the Arts, Kissimmee, FL
Florida Grown, 1st Thursday, Orlando Museum of Art
Emerging Artist Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Crealde School of Art Night Out, 1st Thursday, Orlando Museum of Art
Emerging Artist Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
ICreativa: A Woman Made Art Exhibit, Osceola Arts, Kissimmee,
A Walk in Maitland, Maitland Public Library, Maitland FL
Emerging Artist Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
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IEmerging Artist Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
University Club, Winter Park, FL
Emerging Artist Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Mel's Bad Girls Club, City Arts Gallery, Orlando, FL
Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Crealde Showalter Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Mel's Bad Girls Club, City Arts Gallery, Orlando, FL