Diane J Wren: drawn to detail, nuance.
Medium: primarily – though not exclusively – photography. Macro (close-up) and medium/large format
Why: as a way of studying things that catch my attention; calling attention to things others typically miss.
How:  tinker, play. Unconventional lens use; combining digital and wet lab techniques; breaking traditional darkroom rules.
Style: New Topographics with a messy twist; abstract close-ups.
Underlying questions: how do people get where they are? How to subvert habit and stimulus-response?
Motivator: subject-avoidance as a strategy for pain-avoidance rarely works as a long term solution. 
This in turn leads to stagnation and stifling of creativity.
My work: strives to end that pattern, inviting others to do the same.



Education
2009                Maine College of Art currently completing BFA, concentration: photography
1991                University of California, Santa Cruz, BA Psychology
2006                California College of the Arts, Professional Practices for Visual Artists, with Jamie Brunson and Cynthia Lait
                       University of California, Berkeley Extension, Fundamentals of Drawing, with Eva Bovenzi
                       California College of the Arts, Materials & Process, with Jamie Brunson
                       ASUC Art Studio, Berkeley, California, Darkroom Photography


Selected Exhibitions
2009                Maine College of Art Baxter Building First Friday Shows,
                       February, March & April, Portland, Maine
                       BFA Merit Show, Maine College of Art, Portland, Maine
                       Faces of Literacy, Voices of Courage, group show supporting Literacy Maine
                       Fall BFA Show, Maine College of Art, Portland, Maine

2008                21 Grand Gallery, 8th Annual Benefit Show, Oakland, California
                       Cygnet Gallery Student Show, Portland, Maine
                       BFA Merit Show, Maine College of Art, Portland, Maine

2007                Uncertain Closure, 21 Grand Gallery, Oakland, California

2006                Post/Postcard Holiday Show, The Lab, San Francisco, California
                       Holidayland Gift Sale, The Compound, Oakland, California
                       University of California, Berkeley Extension Program Student Show,
                       San Francisco, California

Pre-2006          Pacific Art Collective, art show and event, San Jose, California
                       Trash to Treasures, Alameda County Department of Reuse and Recycling,
                       Oakland, California
                       Pen & Ink Selected Works, solo show, Mojo’s Café, Oakland, California


Awards and Honors
2008 – 2009     Dean’s List, Maine College of Art
                       Student Senate representative to the Board of Trustees Maine College of Art (elected position)

2009                Endowed Scholarship, Irving B. Ellis and Judy Ellis Glickman,
                       from Photography Department, Maine College of Art
                       Endowed Scholarship, Joanne Waxman Library
                       Merit Scholarship

2008                Endowed Merit scholarship, Beatrice Bouton Barrett Memorial
                       Merit Scholarship, academic year 2008-2009
                       Merit Scholarship, spring 2008

1991                Phi Beta Kappa nomination & membership
                       University of California, Santa Cruz, Stevenson College Honors


Workshops
2009                Gerald Slota, Photographer: Expressive Photography

2008                Kate Bingaman-Burt, Founder, Obsessive Consumption: ‘Zine making
                       Douglass Scott, Art Director WGBH: Bookmaking and Artistic Influence

2007                Sean Arbabi, Photographer: Exposures A to Z
                       Zanna Hess, Photographer: Alternative Photographic Processes
                       Richard Elliott, Textile Artist: Image Transfer Techniques
                       Ernest Braun, Photographer: Macro Photography
                       Ernest Braun, Photographer: Wildflower Photography
                       Ane Carla Rovetta, Illustrator: Earth to Art
                       Kerry Drager, Photographer: Scenic Photography 101
                       Charles Stasek, Botanical Artist: Thumbnail Sketching for Artists

2006                The Crucible: Electroluminescent Wire & Special Effects with Electroluminescent Wire


Selected Commissions
2003 – 2007     Illustration for Nurse’s Week appreciation card, sent to 20,000 nurses
                       at Kaiser Permanente annually

2005                Touching Lives (2'x3') and Nasturtiums (3'x3'), private commission
                       Poster art used at Kaiser Permanente, Oakland Medical Center, for Nurse’s Week

2002                From Hard Work Comes Beauty, Success, fine art triptych presented to CEO,
                       Kaiser Permanente, in recognition of organizational contributions.
                       Total dimensions: 6'x3', not including framing
                       New Beginnings Pathway, illustration for inclusion in book, subsequently
                       used as cover art, presented to President & CEO, California Division,
                       Kaiser Permanente, recognizing organizational contributions


Employment
2008– 2009      Library Aide and Photography Department technician aide, Maine College of Art
                       Teaching Assistant, PhotoShop and Illustrator, Continuing Studies Department,
                       Maine College of Art
                       Photographer, Faces and Voices of Literacy, Literacy Maine (pro bono)
                       Photography and writing for development of a handbook identifying mold
                       in library collections for the Joanne Waxman Library
                       Stitcher, Portland Opera, Portland, Maine
                       Stitcher, Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, Maine

2004 – 2007     Project Manager II, Kaiser Permanente Distance Learning Program, Oakland, California
2001 – 2004     Project Manager I, Kaiser Permanente Distance Learning Program, Oakland, California
2000 – 2001     Distance Learning Specialist, Kaiser Permanente Distance Learning Program, Oakland, California
1998 – 2000     Administrative Assistant IV, Kaiser Permanente Distance Learning Program, Oakland, California
1998                Administrative Specialist, Adecco Temporary Services, Oakland, California
1995 – 1998     Various volunteer positions at: University of California, Berkeley Botanical Garden;
                       Merrithew Memorial Hospital, Martinez, California; Contra Costa County Sheriff’s
                       Department; and Palo Alto Animal Shelter
1992 – 1994     Community Training Instructor, LEARN program, Community Association for Rehabilitation
1993 – 1994     Safety Officer, Community Association for Rehabilitation (elected position)
1992 – 1994     Instructor, American Red Cross
1991                Sales Associate, Mansfield Shoes, Windsor, England
                       Summer Internships: 49er Trailer Village, Plymouth, California; Warmblood Connection
                       and horse trainer’s assistant, Fiddletown, California
1990 – 1991     Stitcher, University of California, Santa Cruz, Shakespeare Santa Cruz,
                       and Theatreworks, Palo Alto, California
1987 – 1991     Stagehand, Spangenberg Theater, Palo Alto, California


Publications and Presentations
2007                Use of a Rich Media Recorder for Distance Education Learning Modules, New Learning
                       Technologies conference, 2007 (Society for Applied Learning Technology®)

2006                Successes in Partnership: Industry/Academia partnership to deliver statewide
                       distance-based Bachelor’s in Nursing degree program, New Learning Technologies
                       conference, 2006 (Society for Applied Learning Technology®)

2005                Building Innovative Solutions to Professional Development Needs in Nursing Education,
                       Interactive Technologies conference, 2005 (Society for Applied Learning Technology®)


Esoterica
2006 – 2007     International travel to Australia, India, Europe and Japan
                       Led meditation workshop for Elderflower Women’s Spiritual Festival
                       Fire Spinning class, The Crucible, Oakland, California
                       One-year Intensive Clairvoyant Training program, completed as Associate Minister,
                       Berkeley Psychic Institute, Berkeley, California

1980s – 2007   Countless hours doodling in classes and meetings, during which I
                       refined my current pen & ink style