Florida Artists Group

Diana's Biography:

Diana de Avila is a US Army Disabled Veteran (95B - Combat Military Police) and digital contemporary artist who discovered artistic ability in 2017 after a relapse from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and worsening traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her TBI occurred after a motorcycle accident while serving in the Army in 1984. The relapse immediately affected her vision and cognition and rewired something in her brain that invoked artistic ability. The rewiring happened quickly and dramatically, like a lightning strike. Her perception changed and she noticed a loss in short-term memory and an increase in a capability to understand colors and space - translating into art. She continues to translate her experience and perceptions into the eclectic and sometimes modern or mind-bending style that can be seen throughout her art. Her style is “consistently inconsistent” - with a modern vibe and rife with technical complexity. While the artwork is very different from piece to piece - utilizing different colors and shapes - the techniques are very consistent. She says that the process of creating art feels perfectly intuitive to her now. This intuitive process often leads her to the creation of one-of-a kind artworks that are unable to be easily replicated. Diana is a former engineer and also a former school psychologist - her brain tends to process things very literally and quantitatively. This can often be seen throughout her art. She tends to live life using more the left side of her brain working through a series of algorithms - numbers are her gig.

Artist Statement:

Art was not something I was looking for, instead it found me. I create my art through bytes and pixels. My art expression is a constant venture into a world of experimentation where each piece utilizes up to 8 different processes and blends artificial intelligence and fractal design with manual methodologies. All of my work is generated digitally and printed directly onto HD Acrylic panels. This unusual medium provides a depth and brilliance that the digital art I create demands. I am an artist that lives my artistic expression in the digital age and utilizes technology to bring my artistic inspiration to life.
I create my work from the vantage point of a Disabled Veteran with multiple chronic and progressive illnesses. My works are my own escapes into an alternate reality that exists through math formulas and the beauty of fractals and divine order. My art continues to be a perfect melding of left and right brained thinking - a cognitive amalgamation of inspiration and engineering.
I continue to find inspiration through my own abilities as have others who have viewed and experienced my work. It is my hope to continue to create art and inspire those who view it - both within and outside of the Veteran community.
designs. My works come to life as spurts of inspiration that demand follow-through. Sometimes inspirations come as a quick series of works - like my flowers or cool cats - and sometimes they walk the path of more modern, abstract work. Still others have an other-worldly or sci-fi feel. Each piece is a natural extension of inspiration that comes from outside of me. My art continues to be a perfect melding of left and right brained thinking - a cognitive amalgamation of inspiration and engineering.

Group Exhibits:

2019-2020 - “Inaugural Exhibit” Veterans Art Gallery at the Virginia War Memorial
2019 - “The Veterans Show” at The Delaplaine Arts Center
2019 - MSAA (Multiple Sclerosis Association of America) Four Seasons Art Showcase 
August 2019 - “ParkBeats” at Central Park - Osseo, WI.

Juried Exhibitions:

December 2019 - “13 Thousand Bezier Curves” (Honorable Mention) and “Spectra" - "Open Season" -
                                    Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL
December 2019 - “Hanging by a Thread” (Second Place) - "Flashes of Brilliance" -
                                    Venice Art Center, Venice, FL.
November 2019 - “Majestic" - "Giving Thanks" - Art Center Manatee, Bradenton, FL.                 
October 2019 - “Glitter Bomb” - “In Gold We Trust” - Ashton Gallery at Art on 30th,
                            San Diego, A                                                                                                                                      
September 2019 - “Spectra” (Merit Award) and “Majestic" - "Welcome Back to Paradise" - Venice Art Center,                             Venice, FL.                                                                                                                                  
June 2019 - “Majestic" - "Made Fresh" - Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL.                                       
June 2019 - “Majestic" - "National Veterans Art Competition" - Tampa FL and USA                         
June 2018 - “Technicolor Kiss" - "Florida’s Finest" - Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL.                 
March 2018 - "Arabian Nights" - "REAL - NOT REAL" - Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL.   
December 2017 - "Blocked" Diptych - "New and Now" - Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL.

Awards:
December 2019 – “Honorable Mention” – “13 Thousand Bezier Curves” – Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL.
December 2019 – “Second Place” – “Hanging by a Thread” – Venice Art Center, Venice, FL.
September 2019 through September 2020 - One of the 41 Winning Artists for “8th Annual ‘Celebration of the Arts’” - “A Modern Interpretation” - Tampa Bay Lightning, Amelie Arena September 2019 - Merit Award - “Spectra” - Venice Art Center, Venice, FL

Gallery:

Sarasota Art Center - “Artsite”

Memberships:

International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA)
Morean Arts Center – St. Petersburg, FL.
Art Center Manatee – Bradenton, FL.
Art Center Sarasota - Sarasota, FL
Venice Art Center – Venice FL
Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County - Sarasota, FL
NALAC - National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures
Women Contemporary Artists
Veteran Art Movement - Frontline Arts - Branchburg, NJ
Veteran Artist Program

Education:

1996 - MS. Ed., School Psychology - The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY
1994 - B.S., Sociology - Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ