Steamboat Artist, Diane Cionni, at OG

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Steamboat resident and artist Diane Cionni came to OG in February for a few days to begin her project that she would later finish in April. Diane took our monotype workshop this past January, so she had an idea of the processes she would use to make her prints before she arrived. Diane likes to use an array of eclectic images she has drawn or painted and collage them into delicate veil-like backgrounds–which she found inspiration for from traveling in India and noting the beautiful abstraction of the peeling walls in the streets. In each of her pieces Diane uses organic and scientific imagery, while also juxtaposing pattern and chaos. Every piece is thoughtfully yet unselfconsciously composed into playful, beautiful scenes. Diane created nine bleed-edge monoprints, entitled Reason and Romance, sized at 20” x 15 7/8” and $1200 each. She also created a striking etching in an edition of eight entitled Map of Reason and Romance, 30” x 42” and priced at $1500 each. To view all of the pieces from Diane’s project, please click here.

PictureA snapshot of a corner in Diane’s workspace

PictureAn initial run through the press–the start of a monoprint. You can see how Diane collages directly on the press bed which gives her work a wonderful sense of spontaneity.

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Diane hand painting on one of her pieces
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A completed monoprint: Reason and Romance #1, 2012
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These are some lovely proofs of the solar plate etchings Diane made. We always print the plates we make in black ink so that we can recognize the quality and composition of the plate itself before jumping in to choosing colors or any specific arrangements. Diane was inspired by these proof sheets–they were very beautiful just as collages and really related to her style. So, Diane decided to make a print this way; the stripped down simplicity really gives the viewer time to consider each element of the piece, and how the individual images relate to one another.
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Kristen and Julia wiping lots of little plates!
We arranged the plates on the press bed, in specific relations and orientations, and viola!..
…An etching is born!
Map of Reason and Romance, 2012
After printing the BAT, we had to trace each plate on a “bed sheet” so we can print the edition later.
Diane putting her legs up after a hard days work! 🙂
To view all of Diane’s work from her project, please click here
The beginning of May has been dedicated to preparing for the artMRKT San Francisco fair, with lots of printing and packing. Sue and Stacia arrived in San Fran last night after a two day journey in a rented van loaded with artwork! If you are in the San Francisco area the 17th-20th, please go visit them and they will show you some amazing prints!

Here is the link to the fair website, with fair info, the schedule, and how to get there: artMRKT website

Hope to see you at the fair!