“Stonework is a form of creative learning, engaging the senses and animating imagination, allowing each person to create something unique. The weight,form and texture of each stone help people make artistic choices that result in original, imaginative, personal creations. Its importance is confirmed by Richard Louv’s research that tells us “every child needs nature. Not just the ones with parents who appreciate nature...every child.” (Richard Luov) He warns of the negative impact of a “nature-deprived society.” Stonework remedies this by bringing nature, and its enrichment of the imagination, to everyone. In addition, Stonework helps the artist, no matter how young, to explore and express emotions, thoughts and feelings via the act of creating both the art of the stone arrangements and the stories they elicit. Stones are a kinaesthetic medium, never fixed in their place or meaning, the ground an endless canvas and small hands the brushes that move them.”Also  Diana created a  line of “whimsical greeting cards,” draws on years of work with infants and toddlers using the Educaring™, approach, as well as her experiences using creative arts to teach early childhood education at Fitchburg State University. It is especially influenced by her travels around the world as a Fulbright Senior Scholar; working in hospitals, orphanages and schools in developing nations to create respectful interactions with children.   
Diana “brings back” the animals from the countries she has visited: the roosters who woke her up in Belize, the elephant she swam with in Nepal, a turtle she swam with while scuba diving in Fiji,  as well as giraffes , monkeys from South Africa, and Rielee, her cat! She incorporates her experience of nature at the Otisco Lake family cottage where she grew up summers and still spends family time. Her work weaves together the loves of her life: children, fantasy and travel. Diana says, “Seeing the world as not flat, I bring the essence of 3-d into my two-dimensional work.” Visiting ‘Garden in the Woods’ in Framingham, MA, Diana sees how the trees above contribute to the whole composition by encapsulating the garden in a natural canopy.  It is exciting how the entire space can affect behavior (the topic of her doctoral dissertation.)
Diana studied painting and photography at the Lorenzo De Medici, Florence, Italy. Her art has

been displayed in the Palace in Haiti, at one-woman shows in Karlsruhe, Germany, as well as

locally in Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardener.  She has recently retired from Fitchburg State

University and her watercolors are now displayed at CNY Local Artist’s Association, Syracuse,

New York, Thanassi Gallery in Provincetown, Leominster Art Center, Fitchburg Art Museum,

and with local merchants.
 

Educaring™, based on the work of the late Magda Gerber, develops a respectful relationship

between an infant and his/her caregiver, which is established during routine care-giving tasks.

Profound in its simplicity and effect, educaring has permeated Diana’s life and art ever since.