Featured Artist Dianne Poinski

Artist Dianne Poinski presents a fascinating collection of layered digital photographs featuring botanical elements. Find more of her work on her website.

 

 

I never set out to become an artist. My brother was the “artist.” I was a bookworm and good at math. It was those skills that lead me down the path of becoming an accountant.

 

 

While going to school to get my business degree, a friend asked if I wanted to take a black and white photography class with her. Saying yes forever changed my life.

 

 

After taking all the photography courses I could, it was clear I would not get that business degree. And I have no regrets!

 

 

Another friend introduced me to hand-coloring black and white photographs, and everything changed again! For many years all of my images were hand-colored.

 

 

I was a little late to the digital photography world. I fought it until I had no choice. Film and paper were becoming increasingly more challenging to get, and many companies discontinued their film products entirely. I waved the white flag and bought my first digital DSLR.

 

 

Once I got used to it and developed some skills in Photoshop, I discovered a renewed sense of passion and excitement for photography. I found it easier to translate emotions and feelings into my imagery. I could create a scene that looked like what I was “feeling” instead of merely documenting what was in front of me. Hand-coloring had helped me achieve some of that when I was shooting film, but now I felt like the possibilities were endless!

 

 

My latest collection of images featuring leaves and other botanical elements came out of a desire to challenge myself. I started to experiment with layering multiple photographs to create one image.

 

 

Working this way feels like a dance, and I imagine painters think this way when they paint. I can add a little here, take a little away from there, and so on, moving elements until I get the desired composition.

 

 

All sense of time disappears during these sessions. I start playing around and discovering new ways to add depth, texture or color. Before I know it, the clock (and my sore neck), tell me it’s time to take a break.

 

 

In many ways, I have come full circle. While the techniques and tools are different, the feelings of wonder, curiosity and delight are the same feelings I had when I first started going into the darkroom. Also, as a self-employed artist for over twenty years, those business courses I took in college have proved to be invaluable!

 

Artist Dianne Poinski invites you to follow her on Instagram.

 

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