Diane Whiteley can be contacted at:
13301 Walden Rd., Suite 4
Montgomery, TX 77356
tel: (936) 582-6888
fax: (936) 582-6898
or send an email

Diane Whiteley began her art career at age 10, when she asked her father for an easel and paints. By age 13, she sold her first piece after it was used in a window display at a local jewelry store. Diane studied art in high school and continued to study privately after moving to the Houston area in 1975.

In 1988, Diane decided to continue her formal education, entering Sam Houston State University, where she majored in Psychology, with an Art minor. Diane graduated in 1995, and began designing and selling one-of-kind greeting cards with a torn paper collage motif. After her daughter graduated high school, Diane has returned to her first love, oil painting.

Diane Whiteley's latest collection of paintings display a boldness of brushstroke and knifework never before seen from this mixed media and oil painter. The application of color and line signifies a confidence that is evident throughout.

Elements present in each piece may include numbers. These are significant to all of us for many reasons. They may remind us of important dates, or the passage of time, etc. Then again they are a unit of measure.

There are also nautical symbols of shipping, flags, maps, masts, and draft marks. These draw on husband Dave's time spent away both at sea onboard ship, or in foreign ports of call.

As in all of Diane's paintings there are the signature windowpanes. The artist uses the windowpanes to lead the viewer to see new things, or the future.

The artists' use of whites in each piece creates compelling contrast to the form itself. Using a unique process, the whites are layered with a palette knife over bolder colors and form, sometimes becoming translucent. While the white dries darker colors are brought back in. With blending, the whites also soften the foreground, at times giving the impression of water reflections.

In the last year, I have been concentrating on my oil paintings and have been working on three different themes, with a series of paintings for each.

The first series has a theme of abstracted windows and doors. I am drawn to the idea of windows and doors because they always lead to another place to explore and another adventure. If you look closely at each work, you will find a piece of reality, perhaps a face or an object of nature, somewhere in the image.

The second series has a park theme. Parks were an important part of my childhood and it was there that I could escape the city to reflect and dream. In my parks, everyone is having fun and engaged in some type of activity. The colors are intentionally bold and bright to capture the positive emotions reflective of my experiences.

Finally, I decided to paint an abstract family portrait for a friend. I worked with their facial profiles and incorporated their personal interests into the background. The result was so popular that I began taking commissions for more portraits and have developed a series of this style of work. People have actually asked to buy the portraits of acquaintances and I am considering producing limited editions of select pieces.

My work is constantly evolving as I incorporate new techniques in my paintings. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoy creating them.