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
Volunteer Pumpkins in October
Volunteer Pumpkins in October
Imagine walking through a garden at sunset and discovering pumpkins you never planted glowing in the dappled light. Can you imagine the smooth, hard skin of these surprise gifts in your hands as you brush past fuzzy pumpkin leaves? Picture the sweet scent of chocolate mint filling the cool October air as you realize your compost has given back more than you ever expected. You let an unknown vine grow all summer, and nature rewarded your curiosity with this beautiful harvest. The dark orange pumpkins held prominently contrast against the light-colored dress in this warm, golden-hour composition. The smooth, luminous surface of the poured acrylic contrasts with the raw aluminum edges that frame this moment of unexpected abundance. This artwork expresses nature's quiet generosity and the delightful surprises that come from letting the garden follow its own course.
Envision this enchanting artwork in your kitchen, dining room, or entryway, where it celebrates the magic of serendipity and patient observation. Guests smile at the story of volunteer vegetables and share their own tales of surprise tomatoes or mystery squash appearing in unexpected places. The piece connects to that universal joy of working with nature rather than controlling it and trusting in the garden's wisdom. This artwork celebrates the generous cycle of giving back to the soil and the unpredictable gifts that emerge when we let nature lead.
“The dappled light across the garden drew my attention to how beautiful these volunteer pumpkins appeared next to the sweet smell of the chocolate mint bed. If you compost your food waste, the frequent result is volunteer vegetables in your garden the next year! That’s exactly what happened with these pumpkins! I just let the vine grow even though I didn’t know what type of squash or melon it would be. It was fun to wait and get a great surprise.”
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.
