Meet the Artist at Happy Time Studio in Issaquah’s Historic Downtown Creative District
Diane Bellisario: Home Again
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.