These artworks are part of the Sustain series. To connect the themes in my project to the history of American vegetable gardening, especially the WWII era victory gardens, where Americans grew 60% of their produce during the war, Ivana creates artworks with a vintage aesthetic. She wants to evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when more people grew food in the backyard and community gardens. Ivana innovated a technique using mixed media and digital photography image transfer on aluminum to create these unique artworks in warm tones that recall the historic tintype process. Subtle inclusions of the contemporary urban environment connect us from our past to our present and the artworks highlight a means to a more sustainable future. To learn more click here to read the full artist statement
Planting Lettuce in May
Planting Lettuce in May
You kneel in the garden on a golden late afternoon, gently pressing delicate lettuce seedlings into the warm May soil. Can you imagine the ruffled leaves soft beneath your fingers as you nestle each transplant into place? Picture the earthy scent rising from the damp soil as birds sing their evening chorus and spring sun warms your back. You already taste that first crisp salad just weeks away, grown by your own hands. The pale lettuce leaves stand in stark contrast against the dark ground in this warm-toned composition. The smooth, luminous surface of the mixed media with photo transfer contrasts with the raw aluminum edges that frame this moment of tender care. This artwork expresses the delicious anticipation of homegrown salads and the simple pleasure of nurturing plants from seedling to table.
Envision this serene artwork in your kitchen or dining room, where it celebrates the rewards of patience and care in the garden. Guests share stories of their own lettuce varieties or the satisfaction of walking outside to gather dinner. The piece connects to that universal joy of eating something you've grown yourself, still warm from the sun. This artwork celebrates the care of intentional healthy eating and the incomparable taste of salad harvested just moments before the meal.
“I was inspired by the golden late afternoon sunlight. The sun highlighted my vegetable starts and I realized it would make beautiful artwork! I plant a lot of vegetables in May, the temperatures in May made the soil ideal for sowing seeds because the warm soil will allow plants to grow quickly! ”
This signed and numbered limited edition mixed media 8" x10" artwork is part of the Sustain series, created with archival materials for lasting beauty. It is coated in an UV light protection spray. Only 20 will ever be handmade by Ivana. Due to the handmade process, expect the edges of the image to vary slightly. The watermark is only for internet display and will not be on your art. There is a slight surface texture which results in small highlights when photographed. If you need help to envison how it will look a free digital mockup is available so you can see exactly how it will look in your space before adding it to your collection. Contact Ivana for this service.
Currently no. 1/20 is available for you to enjoy.
