Diane Cardaci has been drawing and painting since she was a child. She developed her classical art training while studying at the Art Students League of New York City, Parsons School of Design, and the School of Visual Arts. Her passion for both realism and nature led her to start her professional art career working as a Natural Science Illustrator in New York City. After studying portraiture, commissioned portrait work soon became an important part of Diane’s artwork. She is a Signature member of the American Society of Portrait Artists, and has been a contributing writer for the organization’s publications.
Diane has devoted much of her time to art education. She directed her own art school, The Academy of Classical Art, for 4 years in West Palm Beach, Fl. She is also the author of three art instruction books published by Walter Foster.
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Diane’s work hangs in private, public and corporate collections and has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally. She currently spends her summers with her husband in central Italy. Surrounded by the hills and mountains of Umbria and Tuscany, she continues to be inspired by it’s natural beauty and artistic heritage.
Diane’s Philosphy:
My love of art begins with a desire to share the beauty of the world around us. Classical drawing and painting techniques are for me the tools for achieving this goal. I believe, however, that art is not just a skill, but a way of connecting and interacting with the world. My greatest satisfaction as an artist comes when a viewer responds emotionally to my work.
I have been fortunate over the years in being able to spend time studying both the old and modern masters. It gives me great pleasure to pass on what I have learned to others. My goal in teaching is twofold: to help others learn the time honored tradition of classical realism and to show students how art can enrich their lives.
Drawing Instruction books authored by Diane:
Realistic Textures
Flowers & Botanicals
Coming in 2010: Drawing from Photographs
All published by Walter Foster
