Diane Cardaci has been drawing since she was a child. Finding art training difficult to receive in high school, she turned to her second love, the biological sciences. As a student of the CUNY Baccalaureate program in New York City, she was able to incorporate her interests in both art and science, receiving a BS in Scientific Illustration.

In 1980, Diane moved to Italy where she attended medical school at the University of Perugia. Although engrossed in her studies there, Diane's heart was still in her art, and after two years the decision was made that art was to be her future.

Upon her return to the United States, Diane worked as a freelance Scientific Illustrator in New York City, specializing in medical and natural science illustrations. Her work has been published by the American Museum of Natural History, NYC, as well as by major textbook companies such as Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

While residing in New York City, Diane attended the School of Visual arts, Parsons School of Design, the Art Students League and the New York Academy of Art. She had the opportunity to study with master artists such as Robert Beverly Hale and Nelson Shanks.

Diane's interest in portraiture began after the birth of her daughter. Having done a pencil portrait of her two year old, requests soon came in for portrait commissions of other children. Her portraits are now included in both private and corporate collections.

Diane has studied advancde portrait painting techniques with such nationally known portrait artists as John Sanden and Ed Jonas. In 1994, she was accepted by portfolio review to the John Sanden Master Class in Portrait Painting. She is currently a Signature member of the American Society of Portrait Artist and has written several articles for the organization's publications. She is also a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, the Colored Pencil Society of America and the Illustrators Partnership of America.

Diane's goal is to make artwork in the tradition of realism. She returns to Italy often, furthering her study of the Old Masters. Currently, she maintains a studio in both Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and in downtown Manhattan, New York City.

· Prices do not include shipping, framing, tax or travel time of the artist.
· Pencil Portraits are drawn on archival grade paper.
· Oil Portraits are painted on linen canvas.
· A deposit of 1/3 the total is required at photo sitting.
· Prices for groups, animals or complex settings will available upon request.
· Balance due at delivery and acceptance of portrait.