Art has been the cornerstone of Dianne D Baker's life since childhood, when new art supplies would fill her with unbridled joy - a passion that continues to fuel her creativity today.
About Dianne D Baker, the artist
Her formal journey includes comprehensive studies at WSA Art School, Waikato Polytech, and Invercargill from 1975 to 1992, where she was mentored by renowned artists including Paul van dem Berg, Ruth Davey, and Joan Fear.
This rich educational foundation, combined with influences from New Zealand and international galleries, has shaped her distinctive style. Beyond her personal practice, Dianne has shared her knowledge as a tutor at WSA Art School (1987-1992) and has consistently showcased her work through exhibitions since 1981, most recently in 2024.
Firmly established as a contemporary artist who has been creating paintings and drawings professionally for over 30 years.
In recent years, she has become fascinated with the connections of people with their environment, whether for work or leisure. She likes to create work that captures the essence of a unique subject. Informal portrait of people in their landscape or interior scenes, together are a feature of her work.
“When I mix the two together, I found my happy creative genre. I respond to artists who have created works of art that are informal, rather than those about formal dignitaries"
Dianne works primarily in oil, acrylic, and graphite on canvas or paper, using structured acrylic paints similar to oils. She begins with a composition plan, then allows the work to evolve organically.
Her approach explores abstract and representational styles, focusing on lights, darks, colours, shapes, and textures to capture a subject's essence.
For Dianne, painting is about perception—how we see and react to visual experiences. Influenced by early tutors who taught her to truly "see" beyond surface appearances, she values viewers' interpretations, believing they bring a crucial perspective to her art.
Exhibitions
WSA Hamilton Members Exhib. since 1981
Joint Exhib. 1985 & 2001 with Ata Ellery
1988 with Pat Paterson
Waikato 5 Exhib. 1990, 1993, 1998 with Ata Ellery, Pat Paterson, Gay Fraundorfer & Jan Kaywood
Waikato Art Museum "Journey without Maps" 1993
Flagstaff Gallery Davenport 1995 & 1996: Waikato 5 Exhib with Ata Ellery, Pat Paterson, Gay Fraundorfer & Jan Kaywood
Pyromania Tauranga 2004 with Diane Scott
Habberley's 2004 - 2006
Hamilton Art Trail 2006
Toi Toi Gallery Hamilton 2007
Bethlehem College 2009
Inspirit Gallery 2010
Morrinsville Art Trail 2011 & 2012
Wallace Gallery Morrinsville with Ata Ellery 2015
Wallace Gallery Morrinsville 2010, 2011, 2012, 2021, 2024
Bring your space to life with Dianne's unique paintings
A contemporary New Zealand artist specialising in unique acrylic and oil paintings.