{"title":"Diane Best","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiane Best was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and studied in the San Francisco area at Stanford University and the San Francisco Art Institute before moving to Los Angeles. There, she developed a successful career creating commercial artwork for the entertainment industry and commissioned portraiture, while continuing to exhibit her independent work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1995, Best relocated to Joshua Tree, California, where her practice underwent a decisive shift. Immersed in the Mojave Desert, she began focusing on the dramatic intensity of the landscape through painting, photography, and moving-image work. Seeking out remote and uninhabited terrain, her work captures fleeting moments of converging light and land—reflecting a deep commitment to both preservation and direct experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorking in the lineage of 19th-century American conservationist artists, Best brings a contemporary lens to landscape painting and filmmaking, informed by photography, cinema, digital imaging, animation, and theories of perception rooted in deep ecology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter more than two decades exploring the deserts of the American Southwest, Best expanded her focus to the polar regions, traveling to Iceland, Greenland, South Georgia Island, and Antarctica. She identifies a profound connection between these “hot” and “cold” deserts—environments defined by vast scale, minimal human presence, and an overwhelming, often disquieting beauty that informs her emotionally resonant landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer recent body of work, Other Worlds, marks a further evolution. Created during a period of personal and global upheaval, the series draws from memory, imagination, and limited returns to the desert as she navigates ongoing health challenges. These paintings move beyond direct observation into immersive, atmospheric spaces that merge external landscape with internal experience—inviting viewers into contemplative environments that are at once familiar and unbound by place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest has also been profiled in publications including Lifescapes: West Coast Art \u0026amp; Design, Palm Springs Life Art \u0026amp; Culture Magazine, Art Patron Magazine, and Telluride Inside, and was the subject of a KCET Artbound documentary (PBS Los Angeles). In 2020, she was selected as a Joshua Tree National Park Artist representing the U.S. Park Pass program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e---\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelected Exhibitions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolo Exhibitions (2007–2026) \u003cbr\u003eJTNPA West Art Gallery, Yucca Valley, CA, 2026 \u003cbr\u003eBlack Rock Art Gallery, Yucca Valley, CA, 2025 \u003cbr\u003eTelluride Arts HQ Gallery, Telluride, CO, 2023 \u003cbr\u003eTelluride Gallery of Fine Art, Telluride, CO, 2018 \u003cbr\u003ePorch Gallery, Ojai, CA, 2017 \u003cbr\u003eTaylor Junction Gallery, Joshua Tree, CA \u003cbr\u003eBunny Gunner Gallery, Claremont, CA \u003cbr\u003eBoxoProjects, New York, NY, 2010 \u003cbr\u003eDesert Art Collection, Palm Desert, CA, 2010 \u003cbr\u003eCarnegie Museum of Art, Oxnard, CA, 2009 \u003cbr\u003eSouthwest Art Museum (Lobby), Los Angeles, CA, 2008 \u003cbr\u003eMetro Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 2008\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelected Group Exhibitions \u003cbr\u003eHigh Desert Art Fair (BoxoProjects), 2026 \u003cbr\u003eDesert Forest: Life with Joshua Trees, Museum of Art \u0026amp; History, Lancaster, CA (Getty PST), 2024 \u003cbr\u003eBrand 52 Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, Glendale, CA, 2024 \u003cbr\u003eIntersect Palm Springs, CA, 2022–2023 \u003cbr\u003ePalm Springs Art Fair (BoxoProjects), 2020–2021 \u003cbr\u003eMelissa Morgan Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA, 2019 \u003cbr\u003eSite: Brooklyn Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, 2019 \u003cbr\u003eJoshua Treenial, Joshua Tree, CA, 2015, 2017, 2019 \u003cbr\u003eObjective Painting, Telluride Gallery of Fine Art, Telluride, CO, 2017 \u003cbr\u003ePalm Springs Museum, Open Desert, Palm Springs, CA, 2016 \u003cbr\u003eMarks Art Center, Salton Sea Show, Palm Desert, CA, 2016\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoving Image \u0026amp; Film (Selected) \u003cbr\u003eExploratorium, San Francisco, CA, 2013 \u003cbr\u003eNo Destination (3-screen installation), Furstworld, Joshua Tree, CA, 2014 \u003cbr\u003eEco Lab (curated exhibition), USC, Los Angeles, CA, 2014 \u003cbr\u003eJoshua Tree International Film Festival, 2015 \u003cbr\u003eBest Shorts Competition (Award of Merit), 2014–2015 \u003cbr\u003eTimelapse Film Festival, 2017–2021 \u003cbr\u003eOz Arts, Nashville, TN\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional Credits \u003cbr\u003eJoshua Tree National Park Artist, U.S. Park Pass Program, 2020\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEducation \u003cbr\u003eStanford University, Palo Alto, CA \u003cbr\u003eBFA, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA \u003cbr\u003eAdditional studies in animation and art, Los Angeles, CA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e---\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"locomotion-rock","title":"Diane Best \"Locomotion Rock\"","description":"A striking 21'x30' composition rendered in acrylic and ink on authentic handmade Nepalese paper. This expansive work captures the raw, sculptural beauty of Joshua Tree—its twisted forms and desert vastness translated into bold gestural marks and layered color. The natural texture of the paper becomes integral to the piece, creating depth and movement across the monumental surface. A meditation on landscape, scale, and the interplay between control and spontaneity.","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53408185418042,"sku":null,"price":1100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Locomotion_Rock_by_Diane_Best.jpg?v=1777922917"},{"product_id":"locomotion-rock-copy","title":"Diane Best \"Double Cross\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking 18x26\" unframed composition rendered in acrylic and ink on authentic handmade Nepalese paper. This expansive work captures the raw, sculptural beauty of Joshua Tree, drawing inspiration from the desert landscape and iconic trail names that define this legendary terrain. The interplay of bold gestural marks and delicate linework creates depth and movement across the handcrafted surface, inviting viewers into a meditation on nature's dramatic forms and the paths we choose to explore.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53408206389562,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Double_Cross_by_Diane_Best.jpg?v=1777925470"},{"product_id":"gap-event","title":"Diane Best \"Gap Event\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking 18x26\" unframed composition rendered in acrylic and ink on authentic handmade Nepalese paper. Created during a personally challenging time, this piece channels resilience and strength through bold, confident ink outlines and vibrant color. The work carries an inspirational energy—a visual testament to transformation and creative perseverance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53408286310714,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Gap_Event_by_Diane_Best.jpg?v=1777925710"},{"product_id":"gap-event-copy","title":"Diane Best \"Golden Dream\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking 18x26\" unframed composition rendered in acrylic and ink on authentic handmade Nepalese paper. This piece captures the Joshua Tree landscape with a dimensional horizon and luminous blue sky, creating depth and movement across the canvas. The combination of traditional paper and contemporary mixed media techniques brings warmth and texture to any space.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53408336675130,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Golden_Dream_by_Diane_Best.jpg?v=1777926025"},{"product_id":"gap-event-copy-1","title":"Diane Best \"Ghostrider 2\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking 18x26\" unframed composition rendered in acrylic and ink on authentic handmade Nepalese paper. This piece captures the essence of Joshua Tree—featuring luminous stars, dramatic red rocks, and the iconic silhouettes that define the desert landscape. The natural texture of handmade paper adds depth and authenticity to the layered medium, creating a work that bridges contemporary abstraction with the raw beauty of the American Southwest.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53408439632186,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Ghostrider_2_by_Diane_Best.jpg?v=1777928556"},{"product_id":"ghostrider-2-copy","title":"Diane Best \"Lost Horse Wall\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking 18x26\" work inspired by the Lost Horse Trail in Joshua Tree National Park. This piece showcases the artist's signature interpretation of the desert landscape, blending natural terrain with imaginative set design elements rendered in bold ink lines. Drawing from years of experience as an environment designer at Nickelodeon, the artist brings a unique visual storytelling approach to the iconic Joshua Tree scenery—where rugged rock formations and sparse vegetation meet theatrical composition and dynamic linework.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53408467419450,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Lost_Horse_Wall_by_Diane_Best.jpg?v=1777927870"},{"product_id":"lost-horse-wall-copy","title":"Diane Best \"Silver Rock\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eMedium: ink and acrylic on Nepalese paper This original work draws inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park, translating the desert's raw energy into a composition of bold ink lines and layered acrylic. The artist's imaginative interpretation blends natural terrain with set design elements, creating depth and movement across the canvas. Crafted on premium handmade paper from Nepal, this one-of-a-kind piece brings together traditional materials with contemporary artistic vision—a distinctive collector's work that captures the mystique of the desert. 18\"x26\" unframed\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53409255162170,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Silver_Rock_by_Diane_Best.jpg?v=1777936562"},{"product_id":"silver-rock-copy","title":"Diane Best \"Silver Sister\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eMedium: ink and acrylic on Nepalese paper 18\"x26\" unframed. A moody, emotionally charged composition rendered in vibrant color that draws the viewer into its intimate world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53409283178810,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Silver_Sister_by_Diane_Best.jpg?v=1777936517"},{"product_id":"silver-sister-copy","title":"Diane Best \"Scorpion Traverse\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eMedium: ink and acrylic on Nepalese paper, 18\" × 26\" unframed. This piece draws inspiration from a transformative hiking trail at Joshua Tree, a landscape that became a sanctuary and source of healing for the artist. The work captures the essence of that restorative journey through deliberate mark-making and layered color.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53409298809146,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Scorpion_Traverse.jpg?v=1777936663"},{"product_id":"scorpion-traverse-copy","title":"Diane Best \"Slantic\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eMedium: ink and acrylic on Nepalese paper, 18\" × 26\" unframed. Created in Joshua Tree, where the artist resides and works, this multidimensional piece captures a serene yet moody atmosphere. The layered composition invites contemplation, blending the delicate texture of handmade paper with bold gestural marks that evoke the desert landscape's quiet intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53409310441786,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Slantic.jpg?v=1777936919"},{"product_id":"silver-rock-copy-1","title":"Diane Best \"Lonely Stones\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eLonely Stones captures the haunting beauty of Joshua Tree's desert landscape through ink and acrylic on authentic Nepalese handmade paper. This one-of-a-kind artwork merges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary vision, exploring canyon formations with surreal, emotional depth. The textured paper surface enhances the interplay of medium and subject, creating a piece that invites contemplation. Unframed, 18\" × 26\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That-Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53409333870906,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/files\/Lonely_Stones.jpg?v=1777937674"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/8275\/2058\/collections\/6A2D8C22-9672-4CFB-98FB-10C0720480E8.jpg?v=1777664537","url":"https:\/\/that-gallery.shop\/collections\/diane-best.oembed","provider":"That-Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}