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
A Bounty of Sugar Baby Melons in July
A Bounty of Sugar Baby Melons in July
You lift the first watermelon from the vine and can hardly believe how many more are hiding beneath the leaves. Can you imagine the satisfying thump as you tap the smooth, firm skin to test for ripeness? Picture the weight of round melons cradled in your arms, their fuzzy stems still attached, as you laugh with delight at your unexpected abundance. You already taste that first cold, juicy bite on a hot summer day. The dark green striped melons contrast against the gardener's figure in cream tones while garden plants climb the chain link fence in the background. The smooth, luminous surface of the mixed media with photo transfer contrasts with the raw aluminum edges that frame this moment of playful celebration. This artwork expresses the generous abundance of even compact plants and the sensual joy of nurturing life into such sweet, round rewards.
Imagine this exuberant artwork in your kitchen or dining room, where guests invariably smile at the playful composition and share their own gardening triumphs. Friends giggle when they see the artwork, recounting their own first attempts at growing melons. The piece connects to that universal thrill when your garden exceeds every expectation and rewards your care with pure abundance. This artwork celebrates the unexpected generosity of plants and symbolism of feminine power to nurturing life from seed to harvest.
“This was my first attempt at growing watermelons, and I was so thrilled with the results! I grew 6 melons in a 4’x8’ raised bed. I only expected half that much. I have a keen interest in the depictions of women throughout art history. One of my artistic interests are the sculptures of the Ephasian Goddess Artemis which depict the goddess as the protector of fertility. Her statue is covered with rows of round forms resembling breasts, but some scholars name them as gourds or testes. When I saw the melons in my garden, I thought of these ancient statues and the artwork I wanted to create formed in my mind. I decided to use humor and feminine sensuality to allude to my role in nurturing these plants to produce an abundant harvest of round melons.”
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. 2/20 is available for custom production order. Please email to inquire.
