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Dianne Curtis
Illustration, United States Texas Houston
 
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Brief Summary
Artist's Statement
I love mysteries.
Even though I work in a very practical world, I look for the subtle mysteries surrounding my environment that will make it a little more interesting. The way I'm guided, spiritually as well as realistically, in all my work is through the vision of "what might be." I'm heavily influenced by the ancient Chinese paintings, especially their use of negative space which allows the viewer to 'read' fog or water into the painting. Some of my paintings are deliberately blurry as an attempt to capture the weather or deep perspective. I've taught art history for over ten years and I'm fascinated by the cultural intention many have put into these great, ancient temples. I don't copy actual structure; instead, I repeat the elements and make my own temples surrounded by nature.
My worries also effect what I create. Over-population, poverty, pollution and other urban problems concerning our future take over my mind when I draw. Since I was raised in Houston almost my entire life, I've watched this city change and develop into an entirely new creature, alive with fast freeways, crime fads, and horrible air. Traffic drives me so crazy that my art searches for a more peaceful solution. Sometimes I re-design a famous setting into what I would like to see. I even try to create strange or fantastic utopias where animals and humans exist together.
Anthromorphism, the act of adding human characteristics to inanimate objects or other non-human life forms, is a great way for an artist to make the unreal seem real. In many of my landscapes, there are only a few recognizable life forms mainly because I want the buildings and other structures to take on a life of their own. The windows mimic human eyes and the doors mimic a human mouth. Some are distorted and "not quite right" yet they all function together to make the scene work.

My background-
I have studied and worked as an artist my entire working life, so I have a diverse background. I was a commercial artist for 15 years and then I went on to study fine arts. I've taught to every age group, including adults. I've won several awards both nationally and internationally.

Clients
I have studied and worked as an artist my entire working life, so I have a diverse background. I was a commercial artist for 15 years and then I went on to study fine arts. I've taught to every age group, including adults. I've won several awards both nationally and internationally.

Professional Experience
Work Experience
June 2008 to present: Wharton County Junior College: Sugarland, TX
Responsibilities: teaching Art, Art History and Design courses online and face to face
September 2001 to present: Design Instructor, ITT Technical Institute, 2950 S. Gessner, Houston, TX
Responsibilities: teaching Drawing and Design courses to ITT students
July 2004 to 2009: American Intercontinental University, 9999 Richmond, Houston, Texas
Responsibilities: teaching Art History and History of Graphic Design courses
November 2000 to May 2001: Basic Education MH/MR class, College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX
Responsibilities: teaching basic education with three other teachers with a “team-like” approach
January 1992 to July 2000: deaf/blind instructor, Lighthouse of Houston, 3530 W. Dallas, Houston, TX
Responsibilities: teaching arts and crafts, survival skills and communication skills to deaf/blind clients, reporting on their progress, likes and dislikes
June 1988 to August 1994: Art teacher, Harris County Juvenile Probation, Gulfton Unit, Houston, TX
Responsibilities: teaching art to students on probation, submitting work for scholarships, and exhibits
January 1991 to August 1991: Art Director, Elite Publications, 720 N. Post Oak, Houston, TX
Responsibilities: design and desktop publishing of seven trade magazines
April 1989 to October 1990: Production Artist. Cooper Oil Tool, 13013 NW Freeway, Houston, TX
Responsibilities: paste-up for brochures, ads and rig books, pen-and-ink illustrations and darkroom work
September 1987 to April 1989: Freelance Artist, Bonnie Group Advertising, Tune-In Publications, CBS printing, Texcel Career Center, Quick Tick International and Texsource, all in Houston, TX
Responsibilities: paste-up, line art, illustration, design, layout and typesetting
March 1987 to September 1987: Artist/Copywriter, Texcel Career Center, 4300 S. Wayside, Houston, TX
Responsibilities: production of eight-page tabloid, writing stories and advertisements, layout and design, typesetting and artwork
November 1984 to March 1987: Graphic Artist, Weiner's Inc. 6005 Westview, Houston, TX
Responsibilities: ad paste-up, layout and design, copy fitting, darkroom printing and maintenance

Awards and Recognition
Galleries and exhibits
Dianne Curtis
Galleries, Awards and Exhibits

2018 – Design Crowd – photography competitions -1stplace
Archway Gallery - Annual Open Juror Competition – accepted entry
2017 – Art Exhibitor – Carl Jung Center, Rock Star Gallery
- Design Crowd – photography competitions -1st, 2nd place, 3rd place, 4th place
- Design Crowd – illustration competitions -1stand 3rd place
2016 – Design Crowd – photography competitions -1st. 2nd and 3rd place
Archway Gallery - Annual Open Juror Competition – accepted entry
East End Studio – Creatures of the Sea – Juried Competition
2015 - Houston Photographic Society – photograph - Honorable mention
2014 – Houston Photographic Society – photograph - Honorable mention
2012 - Wharton County Junior College- Faculty Show
2009 - Galleria - Houston, TX
Patrons choice Awards, ebsqart.com, themed competitions, watercolor
2007 - American Intercontinental University - Faculty Show
Patrons choice Awards, ebsqart.com, themed competitions, watercolor
2001 - Galleria Incognita - Santa Fe, NM
2000 - Artoberfest - Galveston, TX
2000 - Iclektica - Houston, TX
2000 - Silversmith Gallery - Houston, TX
1999 - Miniature Art Show - Oregon, WA
1998 - October Studios - Houston, TX
1998 - LaCharl Gallery - Houston, TX
1996 - Funk Art/First World - Houston, TX
1994 - Art League of Houston - Faculty Exhibits - Houston, TX
1987 to 1992 - Westheimer Arts Festival - Houston, TX
1987 - Small Painting Competition - Bosque Farms, NM
 

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