You are invited to see the works twice this summer!

July 31, 2026, 6-9pm

August 8, 2026, 5-8pm (Meet the Artist!)

Location: 157 Front Street North

Artist Statement:

“Home Again” is a reflection of my love of residential architecture and interior spaces. I enjoy walking through neighborhoods, taking in the variety of architecture, and seeing how each home has been uniquely modified. I'm fascinated by the environments we inhabit and the emotional response different spaces can evoke, how an image of a building or room can spark vivid memories or unexpected feelings. It’s always rewarding to hear the personal stories people share when they connect with these works.

Though many of the spaces I depict aren’t exact replicas of real places, they’re all rooted in my own memories, travels, and a lifelong love of design.

Working with wood veneers opens up endless possibilities for exploring texture, depth, and contrast. I’m drawn to the challenge—like assembling a puzzle without a reference image—where each piece of wood  becomes part of a larger narrative.

By reimagining this traditional furniture-making craft through a contemporary lens, I aim to create something both familiar and entirely new.

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I am driven by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Its forests, water, and shifting light influence both my imagery and my process. Working with wood allows me to remain closely connected to that environment through a material that carries its own history and character.

Wood offers endless variation in color, tone, texture, and grain. Even within a single species, patterns shift depending on how it was cut and where it was sourced. By combining different species and cuts, I can create layered compositions that function like a tapestry—revealing movement and depth from afar and intricate detail up close. I am continually inspired by mixing and matching these veneers to build dynamic images.

I source my materials from bundled off-cuts that might otherwise be discarded, giving new life to overlooked fragments. My process often begins with an idea, but the available wood guides the final direction. The dialogue between concept and material shapes each piece. My work continues to evolve, grounded in the inherent beauty and expressive potential of the wood itself.

You can learn more about Diane’s work here.

The gallery space is open by appointment only, and for pop up hours as announced. Reach out, and follow our instagram for details! We would love to show you this gorgeous work.

Previous exhibits at Happy Time:

May - August 2024: “The Language of Trees” - William Cook - Linocuts and monotypes (website)

September - November 2024: “Shadows of Life” - Matthew DeFilippo - Oil paintings (website)

December 2024 - February 2025: “Social Media” - Multidisciplinary group show

March 2025 - April 2025: “For the Love of Film” - Arturo Solorio & Sammy Alvarez - photographers and associated mixed media sculpture (more from Arturo & Sammy)

May 2025 - June 2025: “Letters from Strangers Friends” - Anna Sullivan (website)

July 2025 - August 2025: “Urban Wildlife: A Shared Space” - Raili Jänese - Acrylic paintings (website)

September 5 - October 19 2025: “ΓΝΩΘΙ ΣΕΑΥΤΟΝ (know thyself)” - Juliet Fiss - Acrylic paintings (website)

November 2025 - February 2026: “Out of Sight” - Joan Fiset - Textile hangings, dolls, and poetry (website)

March 2026 - April 2026: “To Return” - William Cook - Monotype prints and oil painting (website)

May 2026 - June 2026: “Intimate Inheritances” - Jes Lilly - Oil and acrylic painting (website)