I knew Diane Cassidy even before she made the statement that she was going to “retire”. I think we met in the early 1990s when we were both transitioning from the dark room and chemicals to computers and programs. While we struggled through many a Photoshop and Painter class I watched her art evolve from traditional film based and darkroom photography to digitally manipulated photographic imagery. Diane then progressed to mixed media; sculptural book forms beginning with her amazing Tennessee Waltz and Mail Box pieces. She continued creating artist books of many sizes, shapes and forms and has been very active in local book groups showing regularly in many venues.

Diane and I shared numerous writing and poetry classes as well as writing critique groups. I came to know her on a deeper level through the writing of her wonderful memoir, “The Map is Not The Territory.” We met almost weekly sharing writing, inspiration and laughter, a high point in the week when I knew that we could share everyday moments of life and the newspaper with hilarity. How could we get through life otherwise?

Diane evolved into the world of digital bookmaking where all of her skills came into play; photography, writing, digital technology and her gift of humor that has been a constant in whatever media that she was working in. Her book, “Barbie Expose” is a great example.

The thing about Diane was that I was able to closely observe her intense creativity, evolution from one media to the next over the years. How did she do it? She had more than a gift, and all the while she told me, “I’m retiring!” Usually she said this after she had completed one of her complex series.

I miss her.

Constance Guidotti March15, 2023

Ann this the video your mom took of my mom making tuchinelli. Mom says that she misses her. 

Your mom was a good friend!