Artist Statement
My inspiration embodies a heightened urgency: to capture the exquisite beauty that surrounds us, and to create pieces which spark advocacy in child welfare and ocean conservation, particularly, sea turtle conservancy.
By coaxing layer upon layer of paint and textures to depict the synergy of patterns and colors, I endeavor to depict the efflorescence of delicate flowers and record the interplay inherent in nature. Patterns have fascinated me since I was a child. They bring a sense of order and harmony in this crazy world, so it is no wonder I'm drawn to paint them. The straight lines and recurring arrangement of rows of pastries in a bakery case, wind ripples on sand dunes, and all other Turing structures delight me. The patterns specific to each type of sea turtle, and the path of each individual mother, inspired me to share them as a series of abstracts.
The concept of time plays an important part in my process and my painting. In my Turtle Tracks Art series, the date and time I find her tracks, when her eggs might hatch, the cycle of growth, our own mortality and the millions of years before and after that moment, all provide inspiration. When I find tracks on the beach, I snap a photo and return to my studio and sketch a pattern that will never be repeated. After drawing the sea turtle’s path in black paint, I add moulding compound to create a textural tableau.
This is when each painting evolves organically, freely, more of a response to my inner feelings than conscious thought. I sweep vibrant colors across the compound and canvas. I allow the layers to dry and settle into myriad crevices. I apply a #2 round paintbrush to outline each color and texture mark in thinned-down black acrylic paint. I watch my painting spring to life at this point in my process. Outlined areas give rise to new forms that were not part of the original drawing. For example, sometimes surreal or familiar faces of animals or humans emerge. Do they want me to portray the emotion in human interaction with the natural world before they vanish?
While I take the subject of my artwork very seriously, I paint these tracks in an abstract manner utilizing “uplifting” colors, giving them vitality and positivity. There is symbolic, as well as actual, beauty in the topographical nature of these tracks. A combination of art and design that brings to mind a sense of familiarity.
Currently, I purchase PixelStix, which is an implementation of the hardware agnostic IOT platform, ObjectVoice, that are attached in an archival manner to the back of my large paintings, behind my signature. Any person viewing my painting can download the free app, PixelStix, to their phone, point it at my signature, and a video of me talking about the sea turtle track depicted in that individual painting will appear on their phone. This allows people to connect with me as an artist, and see my motivation and passionate belief that we can work together as a global community to conserve our oceans, along with all of the living things that depend on it. I believe my artwork has great potential in a time of 24-hour images and 30-second reactions, to be an authentic, lasting exploration of hope for the future.
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
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
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
Diane V. Radel -Solo Exhibition, Spain Restaurant and Toma Bar, Tampa, 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
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
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.
