The DAART Technique

 

(Diana Ahrens ART)

 

Diana's work has been called extraordinary, tantalizing, seductive, and romantic. Her style and technique is original and fresh, and is a fusion of her masterful work in glass, pastels, and acrylics. To learn more about Diana Ahrens click here.

 

But where did the technique come from?

 

Diana is self-trained and her beautiful artistic style has been born from extremely hard work and persistense. That is why it is so fresh and different! There has been minimal influence in her life to conform to the expected "ways" of creating art.

 

First of all, the work is all hand-made in the USA.

 

Each original begins on hand-prepared board which is then sealed with mulitple layers of gesso to protect the paint layers from acids in the wood. Diana then begins painting her vibrant abstract backgrounds. Each background consists of layer after layer of fine acrylics with subtle blends between the layers. Her backgrounds are so spectacular the she has had requests for commissions of only the abstract background. The detail work of the painting begins following the background. The detail in Diana's work alternates between layers of acrylics and layers of hand-rolled pastels. Diana will use many different artistic tools applying the pastels including tortillions, brushes, even her fingers. Once the detail work has been completed, Diana then switches gears and begins to work with glass. She draws on her years of experience working with stained glass and glass mosaics. The glass is sculpted - cut, ground and many times fired to get the look she wants. It is the subtle grain that flows through the large panels of stained glass that she looks for. The final stage to each piece is Diana's signature surface finishes. Over the years, as she has honed this techique, she has developed a process that seals the pastels and brings out the rich and vibrant color of the painting. The surface finish can be compared to the fine finish on a piano.

 

Diana's reproductions are unlike any other reproduction in the art world. They are much more than the standard "giclee" or ink jet print on canvas. Through a special photography techinque, the rich colors and sparkling metallics are captured for the reproduction. The image is rendered on an archival grade photo paper and is some of the finest photo paper in production. Each image is hand mounted on the same base as an original. Diana then does something unusual in the art world - she adds the sculpted glass to the reproduction! Each piece becomes a unique work of art. It is very similar to the original, but depending on the color, size, and placement of the glass work, the piece will end up with its own unique feel. The signature surface finish is also added to each reproduction.

 

Take a look at the videos for some in depth discussion about the technique, and please feel free to contact us by email or by the old "low-tech" telephone.

Today's Date: 8/28/2008