Diane is a former graphic designer and illustrator. She worked for 15 years in the field and then decided to spend more quality time
raising her son. After he started art and design college, he was the one who planted the seed for Diane to rediscover her art. so it
wasn’t until she was in her early 50’s that she decided to pursue art once again.
Instead of going back into graphic design, she serendipitously discovered her inner passion in the creation of Mandalas, feeling a
profoundly deep connection to the beauty, geometry and intricate detail of this sacred art form. When viewing her works many say
that they feel her bright and loving spirit.
Diane’s Mandalas start from a center pointed then work outwards completely freehand except for the rulered lines from each
corner of the paper to the center. They are quite imperfect if you look closely, and that is what gives the illusion of perfection when
stepping back. There is never a plan, and each Mandala flows in a spontaneous and unknowing way, as if the Mandala speaks what
shape it should take.
After creating Mandalas for a few years, Diane decided she wanted a more free form type of art and discovered the art of Collage.
She took a Mixed Media class and realized she loved the freedom of combining different materials into a piece of art.
What Diane has come to realize is that the art of Mandalas and the art of Collages are actually not so different. They both start
from nothing, with no clear direction, and the mistakes that happen are not really mistakes, but always a perfect surprise!
Diane has had one other collage in the Culver City Art Walk, a collage in the juried show at the Torrance Art Museum, has done
several commissioned pieces, and had 8 of her Mandalas in a group show at The Whole Gallery in Culver City.
3 years ago, in 2015, she and her husband Leslie, moved to Santa Barbara from Culver City, and built a home. With the work that comes with taking
on such an endeavor, and having all her art supplies in storage, she has taken a short hiatus from her art, to focus on finishing their home.
They were able to move in late last September 2017, and Diane now has a dedicated studio in the home!
This September and October 2018, Diane will be one of 24 local artists having their work exhibited in a pop up gallery in Santa Barbara, as
part of the Santa Barbara Visual Artists, a non profit organization of active local artists.
Diane was born in 1955 in Los Angeles. She attended California State University, Long Beach and majored Graphic Design and Illustration.
Diane has been married to her husband Leslie Ekker, a Visual Effects Supervisor and Industrial Designer, since 1985, and they have
a son Noel who is 28. She is inspired everyday by both of them for their incredible talent, creativity and passion as artists themselves,
and for always believing in her!