BIOREGIONAL ART

This work is heavily influenced by the philosophies of Deep Ecology and Bioregionalism. It is also influenced by my Catholic upbringing; specifically, the tradition of collecting and displaying relics (sacred artifacts and remnants). I walk almost every day and come home with a pocket full of  "relics" which I use in my work.  

Because the work is so much about place, I use topographical maps (both paper and metal) and objects found in the areas defined by those maps. The metal maps are created using a photo-etching  process and coated with lacquer to protect the surface. The paper maps are stained with dyes I make from native plants.  The dyed paper is then coated with four or more layers of acrylic medium or wax, as protection from sun and dirt. Found objects are coated with acrylic as well. 

The first  pieces were created while I was an Artist-in-Residence at Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, on the Oregon Coast.  For more about how this work was created, visit the Sitka Project  page. 

To see more of Diane's bioregional art work click here