Diane Juris (D.J.) Bykowski describes her work as “a reflection of me – from the whimsical side of my personality to the sedate side where reality and dreams merge and come alive.” Diane’s versatility is apparent in her contemporary abstracts and traditional, almost nostalgic, rendering of a myriad of subjects as well as her original jewelry. Juried status in the Arizona Artists’ Guild, Arizona Watercolor Association, Creative Watercolor Association and the Arizona Art Alliance, along with active membership in the Scottsdale Art League, has brought her much recognition and numerous awards. Her animal portraits and commissions of that “special place or moment” are in high demand, since she not only expresses the likeness of her subject but also the essence. Most of her original work is also available as prints and cards. The work of D. J. Bykowski can be found in private and corporate collections and is represented at Arlene Siegel Gallery – Santa Fe NM; Mountain Spirit Gallery – Prescott AZ and Willo North Gallery,Phoenix AZ.
For purchase or commission email D.J. Bykowski at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
RESUME
A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind." Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Artist Statement
"My work is where reality and dreams merge to come alive. Art is about energy, and it is the job of the artist to capture it, control it, and store it in some form for a viewer to absorb. My goal is to do just that."
Education
Graduate studies (Fine Arts), Roosevelt University, Chicago
Bachelor of Science (Education and English/Speech), Chicago State University
Maricopa Community Colleges (Fine Arts)
Academic Work Experience
1999 - present Speaker, Juror and Workshop Demonstrator
1984 - 1998 Speech and Language Arts, Teacher, Cortez High School, AZ
1998 - present Language Arts, Teacher and Department Chair, Cortez High School, AZ
Selected Juried Exhibitions and Awards
2008 - Creative Watercolor Association, Fountain Hills, AZ, Award of Merit
2008 - AZ Artists Guild Exhibition, Phoenix AZ
2008 - AZ Artists Guild Exhibition, Phoenix AZ, Award of Excellence
2007 - Creative Watercolor Association, Phoenix AZ
2006 - AZ Artist Guild Exhibition, Phoenix AZ
2006 - Sky Harbor Airport, “Quick Bites,” Phoenix AZ
2005 - Maui Watercolor Association, Makawao, Maui HI
2005 - Creative Watercolor Association, Cave Creek AZ
2005 - Northern AZ Watercolor Society, Sedona AZ Award of Excellence
2004 - AZ Watercolor Association, Glendale AZ
2004 - Glendale Fine Arts Exhibit, Glendale AZ 2nd Place
2004 - AZ Artists Guild Exhibition, Glendale Merchant Award
2004 - Glendale Fine Arts Exhibit, Glendale AZ 1st Place
2003 - AZ Artists Guild Exhibition, Chandler AZ
2003 - Peoria Fine Arts Association, Scottsdale AZ 3rd Place and 1st Place
2003 - AZ Watercolor Association Exhibition, Glendale AZ
2003 - Peoria Celebration of Artists, Peoria AZ 3rd Place
2003 - Experimental Visions, Scottsdale AZ Merit Award
2002 - Echoes and Visions V-National Exhibition, Laguna Nigel CA
2002 - Scottsdale Artist League – Scottsdale Artists School 1st Place
2001 - Echoes and Visions IV- National, Laguna Nigel CA, Honorable Mention
2001 - Faces of Women- National Exhibition, Las Vegas NM
2001 - AZ Watercolor Association Exhibition, Glendale AZ (awarded juried status)
2001 - AZ Artists Guild Exhibition, Surprise AZ Merit Award
2000 - AZ Artists Guild Exhibition, Phoenix AZ Theme Award
2000 - Sky Harbor Airport Exhibition, Phoenix AZ Merit Award
1999 - Arizona Artists Guild Exhibition, Phoenix AZ Juror’s Award
1999 - Glendale Community College, Glendale AZ Honorable Mention
1998 - Glendale Fine Arts Exhibit, Glendale AZ Purchase Award
1997 - Sun Cities Art Museum Exhibit, Surprise AZ
1997 - Maricopa County Exhibition, Phoenix AZ 1st, 2nd and 4th Place
1997 - Founder’s Bank Exhibition, Scottsdale AZ 1st Place and People’s Choice
Special Exhibitions
2009 - Studio VII - Salon 3121, Phoenix AZ
2009 - Blue Ridge Mountain Exhibition, Blue Ridge GA
2007 - Layers of Meaning, The Herberger Theater, Phoenix AZ
2006 - Hidden Memories, The Herberger Theater, Phoenix AZ
2006 - Spirit of Art, Zest Spirited Dining and Gallery, Phoenix AZ
2006 - The World of Miniatures, The Lawrence Galery, Scottsdale AZ
2006 - La Petite XIII, Alder Gallery, Portland OR
2005 - Waianuenue, Avalene Gallery Makawao, Maui HI
2005 - What’s Your Story, Fox 10, Phoenix AZ
2000 - 3 Women Exhibition, Kerr Cultural Center, Scottsdale AZ
Publication
2006 - Journal of the American Pharmacists Association -September/October
2005 - American Diabetes National Calendar – July - “Welcome Home”
2005 - Lahaina News and Maui Weekly - March 30 and April 7
2003 - Cover – National Council of Teachers of English Journal, September issue
2003 - Art Buyers Guide Volume X, Cheyenne Publishing
2002 - 4O Years of Watermedia Fine Arts, Arizona Watercolor Association
Professional Memberships
Arizona Art Alliance – Juried status
Arizona Artists Guild – Juried status
Arizona Watercolor Assoc. – Juried status
Creative Watercolor Association - Juried status
National Watercolor Society
Phoenix Art Museum
Scottsdale Artist League
Shemer Art Center and Museum
Work Represented By
Arlene Siegel Gallery, Ltd. – Santa Fe NM
Mountain Spirit Gallery – Prescott AZ
Esprit Décor – Phoenix AZ
Willo North Gallery - Phoenix AZ
