Artist Profile: Diane R. Doran

Diane Rusin Doran

Glenelg, Maryland

www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com

1. How do you describe yourself?  I'm very creative and willing to experiment endlessly with my art.

 

2. What is your creative process? I'm inspired by the colors and images that are around me. I take many, many photographs, sometimes of things that might seem useless to others, and heavily manipulate them so that they become something altogether different. I combine the photos with other imagery, often using numerous layers. These images are printed on fabric, then carefully quilted to create an image that was previously only in my mind's eye.

3. Describe your studio space.  My design space is my computer in my dining room. My sewing/quilting space is a large, very cluttered area in the basement with great lighting, a wonderful large table, and an amazing BERNINA 770QE.

4. What's your signature style? How long did it take you to find your style when you first started making art quilts?  My signature style is digital collage that utilizes a variety of imagery including photographs, surface design, and illustration combined with complex quilting. Typically my work is brightly colored and often has a "glow" about it. I'd guess that it took about four years after starting art quilting to develop this style, but I'd been quilting for much longer than that already. 

 

5. Are there artistic endeavors you are yet to do?  I certainly hope so! I can't wait to see wait the future brings.

 

6. Do you keep a sketchbook and/or journal?  I don't keep a sketchbook or journal, but do to the nature of my design process I have countless "digital sketches" on my computer.

 

7. Being published is important to artists, so do you have any instructional dvd's, author of books, YouTube channel, have a website with other artists for collaborative projects?  I have two instructional dvd's, both with Interweave, Digital Surface Design and Digital Collage for Quilt Design: From Start to Finish.

 

8. Do you teach?  I love to teach! I'm thrilled to be spending a weekend with the Faithful Circle Quilters of Columbia, Maryland as the teacher for their Fall Educational Retreat Sept. 30 - Oct. 2.

 

9. Having your work in juried, invitationals, and solo shows is a great way to get your name out there. Where can people see your work? Two pieces in the IQA 2016 A World of  Beauty Judged Show, "Winter's Tarnish" and "Paint the Town Red"

 

10. How many years have you had your work in d@8 exhibits, or is this your first time?  This is my 4th time.

Do you have a special memory about Yvonne Porcella that you would like to share with us?  I remember reading Colors Changing Hue when it first came out and being fascinated by her work, it was truly inspirational. I looked at it again and again.