Interview with Dunja of Doonyaya

Biography

I live in a small town outside of Portland, Maine with my heavily tattooed husband Gerald and our two raw-food eating cats Hero and Suki. I graduated with a Fine Arts Master's Degree from Bard College in 2003, focussing on photography at the time, but found that my real passion is screen printing. I converted our garage and part of our basement into my studio space, and the upstairs of our garage is our practice space for our band Elk Blood - I play keyboards.


Why Printmaking?

I have always loved to screen print since I first took a class at the Corcoran School of Art when I was visiting my father in Washington, DC one summer in College. I was addicted to the speed of it and the ability to make multiples which I could then re-print or collage and make into one of a kinds. It combined photography, illustration, clip art, found images and painting in one medium. I've always been somewhat ADD, unable to focus on one thing at a time, and I also get easily bored once I've learned how to do something. I am always attracted to the next shiny thing, so to keep my attention a medium has to be wide with possibilities, which is exactly what screen printing offers.

How Has Your Work Evolved?

My work has evolved from being an intellectual or theoretical practice, which I learned in school, to being an intuitive process where I have learned to trust my instincts more than my head. It took a long time to detox from the headiness of art schools and learn to be an artist again, something which came naturally to me as a child, then was lost as I became conscious of my place in the world and how I appeared to others. The biggest challenge has been returning to who I am without doubting my abilities or instincts.

What Inspires You?

I am inspired by artists who show the messiness and imperfection of creating. Skill is important, but I am bored by technicians in every medium. I'm more inspired by people just putting themselves out there fearlessly than by a perfected performance or piece.

How Do You Promote Your Work?

I don't really promote my work. I want to see my work as inspiring to people, just as I'm inspired by people who are doing what they love in the world, whatever it happens to be. I think this attitude is attractive, so hopefully people will be drawn to work that is trying to give back something, not just show itself off.

Are You Currently Working on Any Special Projects?
Right now I'm working on opening a store in Portland called The Merchant Company for crafters and vintage collectors. It will be like an upscale flea market. We have a big back room to have craft nights, classes and workshops. There is a great printing community in Portland and I'm excited to bring it all together into a single space. My newest screen printing project is making screen printed pillow cases and duvet covers from upcycled fabrics. I'm also working on a line of coasters with retro RV's printed on linoleum.

Tell Us One Random Fact About Yourself....

I'm vegan and donate 10% of my profits to animal rights organizations. Being vegan saves 100 animals a year!

Check Out Dunja's Etsy Site and Website

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Serena's Facebook Page

Biogaphy

I create because I can’t help myself.  Working with my hands and having a tangible product is an essential part of my well being.  Oil painting is my first love, but lately it has been exciting to express myself in other mediums, such as drypoint and linocut printmaking.  I also enjoy cheese, travel, kitties, and cheap beer. I am a graduate of the University of Oregon’s Interior Architecture program and protégé of figure painter Alexander Rokoff.   I have shown my paintings and my drypoints in various group shows and galleries around Portland.  I am an integral part of the Falcon Art Community, running an open studio for oil painting weekly and a beginning printmaking workshop monthly.  I love living in Portland Oregon but dream of living in other counties. 

Why printing?  

Printmaking feels more ordered then other media does to me.  There’s a process and a set of procedures that must be abided.  The creating/imagination part is unlimited but I like the restrictions of the actual print making.  It fulfills my creative side and my need for order.  

What is your favorite print medium and why?

I love drypoint for the detail and the control during the inking process.  It’s certainly labor intensive, but simpler than other forms of intaglio.  Really just need a poky tool (I use a carbide tip pencil) and a copper plate for the design work.  

How long have you been printing and how has your work evolved?

 

I’m relatively new to printmaking.  I took my first workshop in 2007 and am now running those beginner workshops.  I think my work has taken on a more whimsical feel. 

What or Who influences your work?  

Nature, animals, things around me.  Other printmakers and artists also influence me and let me see different possibilities.  I like to see the work common people do, rather than looking toward famous artists.  I have been very intrigued by the work at Tugboat Printshop lately.  

How do your promote your work? 

Word of mouth when I can, art/craft sales, Facebook, Twitter.  I’m trying it all.  But I’m finding there is a barrier with the internet and my work.  If people can see my work in person they buy it, but I’m not sure the care and detail comes out from the photos to the computer screen. 

Any good printing tips or funny printing stories (or both??) 

Just print!  So many people think they have to reach a certain level to do things.  I say just keep trying and creating.  Not everyone can be rich and famous but everyone can get joy from creating something with their own hands!