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 Purple Majesty in May
Planting Purple Majesty in May
You kneel in the garden bed on a May evening, gently placing Purple Majesty eggplant seedlings into the prepared soil. Can you imagine the scent of lilacs drifting on the breeze as birds sing their evening songs? Picture the warmth of the spring setting sun on your shoulders as your hands press into the cool, damp earth. The earthy smell of soil wafts up as you tenderly position each plant, knowing the care you give now determines the harvest months away. The gardener in this artwork wears a geometric pattern dress and the diamond shape shadows from the chain link fence contrast against the soft, curving forms of garden plants in this warm-toned composition in this moment of deliberate planting. This artwork expresses the patience and planning required to grow one's own food and the hope we plant with each seedling.
Envision this thoughtful artwork in your kitchen, dining room, or mudroom, where it honors the work of growing food with your own hands. Guests notice the vintage styling and ask about your gardening practices, sharing memories of their grandparents' victory gardens or their own commitment to homegrown vegetables. The piece connects to that universal desire for self-reliance and the satisfaction of nurturing plants from seedling to harvest. This artwork celebrates the tender care we invest in feeding ourselves and our families.
“In this artwork, “Planting Purple Majesty in May”, I plant an eggplant variety Purple Majesty in the late afternoon light. The light cast a diamond pattern shadow across the garden, which caught my eye and prompted me to photograph the planting of the Purple Majesty. I wear a vintage style dress in this artwork, to refer to the victory garden movement of WWII when Americans grew 60% of the products that they ate in the backyard and community gardens. I would love to see this happen again but in the service of preserving a sustainable climate.”
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.
