Artist Statement
My work engages storytelling as both method and framework—a way of thinking through time and space as they are lived, remembered, and imagined in relation to humanity. As I approach seventy, my awareness of time has become more acute—at once fleeting and deeply meaningful—shaping not only how I live, but how I see and make. Our knowledge of the world is largely mediated through sight, and through layered textures and vibrant acrylic paint I construct visual narratives that invite sustained looking. These compositions explore the synergy of pattern and color to capture both the exquisite beauty and ephemerality of the natural world, while positioning the viewer as part of a larger universe in constant transformation.
I am drawn to forms that feel at once ancient and speculative—grounded in deep time yet oriented toward possible futures. Influenced by Turing patterns and other systems that generate order from complexity, I combine fleeting phenomena, such as sea turtle tracks that vanish within hours or flowers that begin to fade within days, with enduring symbols and structures. These juxtapositions become meditations on time, where the transient and the eternal coexist, and where past and future begin to mirror one another through recurring forms and rhythms.
Outlined areas give rise to emergent figures and shifting geometries, caught at the threshold where the past becomes the future. In this way, each painting holds a quantum-like moment of transformation—collapsing linear time into something cyclical, porous, and relational. My practice is rooted in a belief in the unity of all things: an interconnectedness that binds matter, memory, and perception.
Storytelling becomes a way to hold these tensions—between permanence and impermanence, presence and absence, origin and projection. Each work acts as a point of convergence, where multiple temporalities coexist and where the present is not isolated, but infinitely extended. Eternity, then, is not distant or abstract—it hangs from this moment, unfolding continuously through our perception, our histories, and our capacity to imagine what comes next.
I came to painting on canvas after a formative, almost primordial experience on the beach at age sixty—a moment that crystallized my awareness of time, transformation, and belonging. Now, as I move further into the later decades of life, that awareness continues to deepen, infusing the work with a heightened sense of urgency, reverence, and continuity. Since then, my work has been exhibited in juried regional and national exhibitions, published internationally, and collected in both private and corporate collections.
ABOUT THE FIONA PAINTING
My granddaughter was a 3 lb. preemie, so I have a soft spot for premature babies. I had followed the Cincinnati Zoo's premature hippo Fiona's story since her birth, and was inspired to paint Fiona celebrating her milestone birthday. The bright, happy colors and celebratory birthday hat convey the optimism felt for Fiona's future. Click on the link below to see my appearance on Local 12 WKRC "Good Morning Cincinnati".
CV
DIANE V. RADEL
MEMBER OF THE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VISUAL ARTISTS
2026
Face Value, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Maritinis+Matisse, Clearwater Free Clinic Gala, Frank Crum Center, Clearwater, FL
Octagon Gallery, Professional Association of Visual Artists, Clearwater, FL
Art in the Air, Westshore Alliance, Tampa, FL
Light Box Public Art, Tarpon Springs, Public Art Council, Tarpon Springs, FL
#SMF, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Professional Association of Visual Artists' Cool Art Show, The Palladium, St. Petersburg, FL
2025
Martinis+Matisse, Clearwater Free Clinic Gala, Frank Crum Center, Clearwater, FL
Light Box Public Art, Tarpon Springs Public Art Council, Tarpon Springs, FL
Featured Speaker, Island Estates Women's Club, Clearwater, FL
#SMF, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Art Meets Development, Crew Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL
Professional Association of Visual Artists Annual Member Show, Octagon Gallery, Clearwater, FL
Art To The Rescue, Stirling Art Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL
Influencers, Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL, Honorable Mention Award
The Source, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL 34677
2024
Diane V. Radel-Solo Exhibition, Spain Restaurant and Toma Bar, Tampa, FL
Martinis+Matisse, Clearwater Free Clinic Gala, Frank Crum Center, Clearwater, FL, Merit Award
Light Box Public Art, Tarpon Springs Public Art Council, Tarpon Springs, FL
100 Underrepresented Women Artists in Art History, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
#SMF, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
100 Underrepresented Women Artists in Art History, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Art To The Rescue, Stirling Art Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL, 2nd Place Award
Postcards From Utopia, Palazzo Ducale, Alvito, Italy
Let it Rain, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Anything Goes, Stirling Art Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL
Wish You Were Here, Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL
2023
100 Underrepresented Women Artists in Art History, Florida in Art, Tampa, FL
Diane V. Radel-Solo Exhibition, Spain Restaurant and Toma Bar, Tampa, FL
Light Box Public Art, Tarpon Springs Public Art Council, Tarpon Springs, FL
Intimacy: Into Me I See, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Martinis+Matisse, Clearwater Free Clinic Gala, Frank Crum Center, Clearwater, FL
Jazz, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa, FL
Clearwater Yacht Club, Clearwater, FL
#SMF, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Art to the Rescue, Stirling Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL, Most Humorous Award
OPUS Tampa, Tampa Covenant Church, Tampa, FL
Psychedelic, Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL
Birds of a Feather, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Signal Box Public Art, Pinellas County and Creative Pinellas, Eastlake Rd. and Kensington Trace
Turtle Tracks Art Exhibition, One Amazing Find, Tarpon Springs, FL
All Is Bright, Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL
2022
Diane V. Radel -Solo Exhibition, Spain Restaurant and Toma Bar, Tampa , FL
Florida Kaleidoscope Art Show , Bella Unica, St. Pete Beach, FL -Featured Artist
Martinis+Matisse Live Painter 2022, Clearwater Free Clinic at Frank Crum Center, Clearwater, FL
Small is Beautiful, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Wonderwall, Museum of Science and Industry, Tampa, FL
Professional Association of Visual Artists Annual Exhibition, Dunedin, FL -Honorable Mention
The Unity Art Show, Our Savior Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg
#SMF, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Uptown Music Festival, University Area Community Park, Tampa, FL
Inspired By……, Chihuly Collection, St. Petersburg, FL
Cultivating Cultural Gardens, Mulberry Cultural Center, Mulberry, FL
Art Auction For Ukraine, My Favorite Art Place, Dunedin, FL
Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Turtle Tracks Art Solo Exhibition, Our Savior Lutheran Church and School, St. Petersburg, FL
Hammock Expressions, Dunedin City Hall, Dunedin, FL
Bookish, Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL
Aqua Nights Live Painting, Florida Aquarium, Tampa, FL
A State Of A Mind, Mize Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
Undiscovered Paths, Diane V. Radel Featured Artist, Carrolwood Cultural Center, Tampa, FL
The Tarot Project, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa, FL
Create, Art Center Manatee, Bradenton, FL
Colores, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa, FL
The XII Signs of the Zodiac, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa, FL
INDUSTRIAL, Artrepreneur, Online exhibition. One of 14 featured artists.
Beyond Sight, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa, FL
Professional Association of Visual Artists Member Exhibition, PAVA, Dunedin, FL
The Artwork of Diane V. Radel, Private Trunk Show, Palm Harboror, FL
100 Underrepresented Women Artists in History, Florida in Art, Tampa, FL
2021
APÉRO International Fine Art Catalogue, January 2021 issue
COVID 19. The Art Of Isolation/Survey 3, Curator's Voice, Miami, FL
Mapped Out, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL -Best of Show
Diane V. Radel, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, FL
Just My Imagination, Studio 1212, Clearwater, FL -Honorable Mention
35th Annual All Florida, Alliance For The Arts, Ft. Myers, FL
Going Fast, Atelier de SoSi, St. Petersburg, FL
#SMF, Dunedin Fine Arts Center, FL -Best of Show
Spring Is Popping Up, Clearwater Main Library, Clearwater, FL
Professional Association of Visual Artists Annual Exhibition, Dunedin, FL
Art To The Rescue, Stirling Galleries, Dunedin, FL
Velvet Elvis 2021, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Orange, Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL
Flowers-Florida In Art, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa, FL
Old Florida Summer, Atelier de SoSi, St. Petersburg, FL
APÉRO International Fine Art Catalogue, July 2021 issue
Summer Squared, Gallery 14, Vero Beach, FL
Wine and Winter, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, FL
Landmark, Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL
M'ria's Mezzanine, 81 Bay Brewing, Tampa, FL
The Regional Show, Art Center of Sarasota, FL
Critters, Mize Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
Spirit Animal, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Nightmare On Kennedy, House Of Shadows, Tampa, FL
Art Legacy Remix:Rhythms Of Spain, Straz Center, Tampa, FL
First Annual Central Pinellas Gallery Hop, Clearwater, FL
Abstract Instincts, House of Shadows, Tampa, FL
2020
8th Annual Celebration of the Arts, Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation, Tampa, FL
Clearwater Free Clinic's Martinis+Matisse Featured Live Painter Frank Crum, Clearwater, FL
Monochromatic Minis, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Feast For The Eyes, Studio 1212, Clearwater, FL
Abstracts Matter, 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC
#SMF, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Bunches, Morena Art Center, St. Petersburg, FL
Flower Power, Mize Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
Vibrant-APÉRO International Fine Art Catalogue, May 2020 Issue
Wish You Were Here, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
The Coolest Art Show, Professional Association of Visual Artists, The Coliseum, St. Petersburg, FL
Art IS Essential, Stirling Art Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL
small works-BIG TALENT, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
Southeaster Guide Dogs, permanent installation, Maple Street Biscuit Company, Gainesville, FL
Velvet Elvis 2020, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Fifty Over 50, Milk Shake Studios On-line Exhibit, St. Petersburg, FL
Sounds Good, Mize Gallery, St. Petersburg , FL
Land-APÉRO International Fine Art Catalogue, August 2020 Issue
Diane V. Radel at the Hermitage Gallery, Hermitage Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL, Solo Exhibit
Best of the Bay 2020, Tampa Bay Creative Loafing, Runner Up
COVID 19. The Art of Isolation/Survey 2, Curator's Voice, Miami, FL
Dress Me, M.A.D.S. Milano, Milan, Italy
Mighty Fine, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
2019
Six Chix- Stirling Art Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL
Diane V. Radel Solo Show Professional Association of Visual Artists, Aging Well Center at The Long Center, Clearwater, FL
My Favorite Art Place Featured Artist, Sundial, St. Petersburg, FL
#SMF, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Galleria Misto's Summer, Duke Energy Center For The Arts/Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, FL
Interiors, Tampa Regional Artists, Tampa, FL -Second Place
Dog Days of Summer, Art Uptown Gallery, Sarasota, FL
Paint by Numbers, Morean Art Center, St. Petersburg, FL
Cats Vs. Dogs, Morean Art Center, St. Petersburg, FL
September/October Featured Artist for Galleria Misto, Duke Energy Center For The Arts/Mahaffey Theatre
Really Big Show, Stirling Art Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL
Hue and Me, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL -Honorable Mention
Art Ties Us, The Birchwood, St. Petersburg, FL - 2nd Place
8th Annual Celebration of the Arts, Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
La Salon II, M. Chapel Projects/SPAACES, Sarasota, FL -Permanent Collection
Shine, Shine, Shine, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Professional Association of Visual Artists Annual Members Holiday Exhibit, Pinewoods Gallery at Creative Pinellas, Largo, FL -Honorable Mention
2018
Big Eyes, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Beatles Era Art Festival, Penny Lane Beatles Museum, Dunedin, FL
Art to the Rescue, Stirling Art Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL
#SMF, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Art Ties Us, The Birchwood, St. Petersburg, FL -Top Ten Artist (8th)
Souvenir, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Fin, Fur and Feathers, Tampa Regional Artists, Tampa, FL
Professional Association of Visual Artists Exhibit, Octagon Gallery, Clearwater, FL
Me and My Shadowbox, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
Words That Inspire, Stirling Art Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL -Honorable Mention
Diane V. Radel Solo Exhibit for Fringe Art Show, Industrious, Tampa, FL
You Are What You Eat, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL -2nd Place
Landscapes, Seascapes, Skyscapes, Tampa Regional Artist, Tampa, FL-Honorable Mention
Professional Association of Visual Artists Exhibit, Osceola Gallery, Clearwater, FL
La Salon Tout Inclus, M. Chapel Projects/SPAACES, Sarasota, FL
Five Artists for Fringe Art Show, Five Labs, Tampa, FL
Florida in Art, Westshore Plaza Pop Up, Tampa, FL
Professional Association of Visual Artists Annual Holiday Exhibit, Pinewoods Gallery at Creative Pinellas, Largo, FL -4th Place Popular Vote
Professional Association of Visual Artists Exhibit, Stirling Art Studios and Gallery, Dunedin, FL
Terra Cotta Warriors blow glass balls for the Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg.
A sampling of judges' and curators' comments
Best of show, #SMF, Dunedin Fine Art Center, April 2021, Judge Amanda Poss
Numen - “This painting provides both surface tension and depth, using the formal elements of color and line to create a tension between movement and stillness that invites the viewer to examine the depths beyond the water’s surface and into oneself.
Best of show, Mapped Out, Dunedin Fine Art Center, June 2020, Judge David Shankweiler
Waiting To Begin On A1A - “This painting demonstrates wonderful abstract qualities-dazzling composition, complex color relationships with the use of small, colorful geometric shapes infused in an organic landscape. I was lost in the work without looking for a map. It doesn’t ask to be a literal interpretation of anything, but with the theme of the exhibit in mind, there it was. Subtle and maybe unintended. Am I seeing a landscape form high above with terrain shifts, maybe a downtown, maybe suburbs, maybe an ancient dry riverbed? A story of human habitation in nature? A map? I don’t know I’m making this up so make your own interpretation. What is nice is that the artwork can be whatever the viewer brings to it.
Curator Review, APERO International Fine Art Catalog, May 2020, E. E. Jacks
Yūgen - “This singular piece by artist Diane V. Radel explores sensation with a poetic voice. In Capturing these abstract reflections and organic patterns perhaps Radel’s marine-like composition reminisces on natural light flickering underwater. There is a wondrous peace and harmony in the rhythmic and intuitive layering of color in her work. From the flowing edges, to the tactile texture, Radel invites the viewer to appreciate a moment of movement and introspection.”
2nd place, Interior Spaces, Tampa Regional Artists, July 2019
“Notable for the lack of artifice. Skillful and confident paint application, composition, and rendering doesn’t obscure the charm of the “naive” perspective, reminiscent of Van Gogh’s interiors. The perfectly seen chandelier and chair-backs contrast well with the distorted perspective of the table and looser handling of the drapes and table.
Dress Me, MADS Milano, Milan, Italy, September 2020, Curator Vanessa Viti
Solivagant - “A deep link exist between people and nature, often forgotten, but when the people rediscover it they are pervaded by great wonder and strong emotion. Diane met the magic that resides in nature, treasuring this experience she created a series of works dedicated to it. “Solivagant” is a real journey, the viewer is there together with the artist, with her he makes this experience. Traces of turtles on the sand become artworks, imprinted forever and made immortal by Diane’s sensitivity. Dian’s work is an explosion of life, vivid colors take up space and totally invade it, from the cold tones of blue to the warm ones of red. The artist’s work seems to be a zoom of a detail of an impressionist painting, colors that ripple and mix as in a work by Monet. At the same time it has abstract references as it is the spots of color that prevail, there is no representation of real forms, there are no signs that outline figures. Diane offers us the opportunity to get excited in front of the spectacle of nature, to get in touch with the magic that resides in it, to discover beauty.
