DJ Hyde Matheny studied studio art and psychology at University of Wisconsin. She briefly studied Graphic Design at Pratt Institute in New York City before finding a job at House Beautiful Magazine. Seeking stronger training in design, she moved to LA where she pursued a BFA at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, followed by employment at various design firms in LA and San Francisco. DJ moved back to the Midwest, where she found work at various design firms in Chicago, before ultimately becoming a designer for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. Immersed in the creative community of artists at Hallmark, she experienced a rekindling of her first love—painting. From 2003-2015, she renewed her artistic pursuits by studying with Philomene Bennett and participating in several local art shows and Open Studio events. During the Great Recession, when she lost her career as a designer, she earned an MSW degree at KU, and became a hospice social worker. After working in hospice for over five years, she retired to devote more of her energy to painting.