Diane Buster

Born in Massachusetts and eventually settling in Albuquerque, Diane transitioned from a career in education to a lifelong pursuit of fine art. After initially exploring watercolors as a hobby, she earned a BFA in Studio Art from the University of New Mexico, where she studied under influential artists like Harry Nadler and Jane Abrams. Her background as a drama director at Sandia High School allowed her to blend her artistic eye with lighting and set design, all while continuing to win awards for her paintings in local exhibitions. 

Since retiring in 2005, Diane has dedicated herself to painting full-time, shifting her focus to oil painting to capture the expressive brushwork that defines her style. A former president of the Rio Grande Art Association (now a lifetime member) and an active member of the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, she paints daily and frequently participates in prestigious juried shows such as Masterworks and Encantada. Her ultimate goal remains constant: to translate the inherent beauty of the world into the rich, tactile language of oils.