THE EARLY YEARS. As young as age four, Dianne would re-draw the pictures from coloring books, onto paper which her parents gave her. Their praise for her 'work' at such an early age was a great inspiration. Throughout her high school years, Dianne continued drawing after school, during vacations, and on weekends. She would draw detailed pictures of rooms in her home, as well as made-up scenes, which typically included people. Other subjects for her drawings included futuristic cars from her imagination, portraits of women, and the boxers she saw on TV back in the days of Muhammad Ali.

DIANNE'S FIRST WORK AS A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST. In her early twenties, Dianne painted all the illustrations for a small clothing catalog. This was the first time she was paid for her art, but what she loved most was the supreme satisfaction of her client.

SELF-TAUGHT ARTIST. Other than taking five adult education watercolor and acrylic painting classes over 30 years ago, Dianne is a self-taught artist who experiments with any subject or medium that excites her. Several years ago she illustrated two children's books, a new and worthwhile experience. All of the illustrations for the book Go Home River were painted with octopus ink.

ALASKA. While living in six small Alaskan communities over a twelve year period, Dianne's art changed considerably. Her paintings focused on the Alaska Native people, especially the elders. Some say her paintings were recording a lifestyle quickly becoming a way of the past. And while living in Seldovia, Alaska, she was first introduced to the beautiful sepia tones of octopus ink.

TEACHING. Dianne's first teaching experience was when she was asked to teach painting to high school students in Trinidad, Colorado. From there she taught various painting classes in a number of community colleges throughout Alaska. She also has taught in a number of cities in the "lower 48" states, including a portrait painting class at the Sedona Art Center in Arizona.

CAÑON CITY. For years, Dianne and her husband Ivan hoped to someday own an art gallery in a small town, which would include a workroom with enough space to teach painting classes, with living quarters upstairs. The Widom Art Gallery is all of this and more.

DIANNE'S RESUMÉ. For all the facts and figures.