These unique mixed media artworks explore the importance of healthy pollinator populations to maintain healthy ecosystems, and our interdependence upon these species to produce the fruits and vegetables we need to thrive.
Halictid Bees Pollinate Vitis Riparia Grapes in the Dyer's Garden
Halictid Bees Pollinate Vitis Riparia Grapes in the Dyer's Garden
You step into a quiet garden where everything has been grown with care, and nothing feels rushed or wasted. Can you imagine the soft hum of halictid bees moving through ripening Vitis riparia grapes and the faint, earthy sweetness rising from sun-warmed leaves? Ivana began this work long before the studio, tending dye plants organically, observing native pollinators, and then expressing that living system through a botanical print layered with mineral watercolor and iridescent green india ink. The deep green shimmer of the bees contrasts against muted botanical imprints of the grape leaves, while a ripe bunch of grapes hangs tantalizingly close, ready to taste. The artwork is a quiet expression of stewardship, where beauty and responsibility exist in the same breath.
Imagine this grounding artwork in your kitchen or dining space, where it reflects the fruits you enjoy and the values you live by. Guests pause when they notice the subtle shimmer of the bees and the recognizable form of grapes, and the conversation shifts toward gardens, sustainability, and what it means to care for what sustains us. For Collectors who value food, land, and intentional living, this artwork in your space will signal a life that is cultivated, not consumed. This piece celebrates the deep satisfaction of living in harmony with nature.
“Every piece of my artwork is a labor of love and sustainability. From the very beginning from starting my own dye plants to the final artwork, I craft my work using organic growing methods, sustainable materials, and eco-friendly practices. In this artwork, I’m sharing a window into the native pollinators that visit my garden and pollinate the fruits there. I made a botanical print using plants that grow in my garden and finished it with natural mineral watercolors and iridescent green india ink. I am sharing something that is not only beautiful but also tells a story of sustainability and care.”
The artwork measures 22” x 30” and comes framed in a beautiful floating mount presentation with museum quality standards including white cotton mat board, Japanese paper wheat starch hinges, UV protective acrylic and a contemporary white wood frame measuring 26” x 34”. It is signed in pencil on the front in the lower right corner.
This unique mixed media artwork is part of Ivana’s garden pollinator series and is created using archival cotton paper, botanical printing, natural mineral watercolors, and archival metallic inks to ensure lasting richness and depth. Due to the handmade process, there is a subtle surface texture where the plant pigment impressions meet the ink, which becomes more visible as light shifts throughout the day. The watercolor paper for this artwork is made with 65% recycled cotton fiber because Ivana seeks out sustainable materials to create her art. In addition to recycled materials, Ivana grew the dye plants in her garden that were used to make the plant pigment impressions. All materials are selected with low environmental impact in mind, which aligns with collectors who value responsible creation. The watermark shown online is for internet display only and will not appear on the final artwork. If you would like help visualizing it in your space, Ivana offers a complimentary digital mockup so you can confidently add it to your collection.
