Diane Rakocy grew up in a small midwestern town in the United States and has lived on four continents as an adult. "Art has been the one constant in my life. I have been painting and drawing for as long as I can remember and finding an art community is one of the first things on my agenda when I move somewhere new. For me, expressing myself through art is pure joy." She has been particularly inspired by her six years in Japan.

Diane has an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a Masters from Northwestern University and her works have been exhibited numerous times in Japan and the United States. "I am inspired by the colors of Japan, both in nature and on the city streets. I love the juxtaposition of finding an ancient Shinto temple quietly tucked away amidst modern skyscrapers, or the respite that the Nezu Museum’s iris fields provide in the middle of congested Omotesando. The outlandish 'costumes' of the Harajuku girls in Yoyogi, the controlled chaos of Shibuya crossing and the magnificent view of Tokyo Tower from my apartment balcony, all inspire me. The subject matter of my paintings has changed throughout the years, but the overwhelming constants in my work are color, light, shadows and texture."

Diane uses acrylic paints for their vibrant colors and versatility and likes experimenting with different textures to create a variety of effects. Her work was recently featured in "The Colors of Japan", a very successful solo exhibition held at The Tokyo American Club's Fred Harris Gallery.

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