Emily Donovan

Emily Donovan loves to travel, but her heart belongs to Minnesota. The state's North Woods and the cycle of the seasons are both influential and essential to her batik art, which relies on wax and handmade dyes made from foraged materials. Having grown up learning about specialized tools and craft methods from her father, who built custom etching and lithography presses, Donovan studied art history and visual art at the University of Minnesota with an emphasis in printmaking and painting. Her process of hand dyeing creates what she calls a "living mark," tracking the movement and infusion of her pigments into paper fibers and encapsulating her experiences and discoveries in the outdoors.

When and where do you like to create?

Answer: I love early, early mornings before everyone else is up. 5 am. I make the first batch of coffee the way I like it (strong) and the dog, cat, and family are all still sleeping.

What is your dream project?

Answer: Giant natural dye paintings alongside memorable trees within a major city park that memorializes their age, growth, color, and species.

What would you be doing if you were not an artist?

Answer: I would be a farmer.

What is your most important artist tool? What can’t you live without?

Answer: It is basically the studio itself - large windows to let in natural light, open space to create and the ability to get as messy as I want. And also my hotplate.

What trends, themes, etc. are you on board with this year, if any?

Answer: The environmental health of our planet.

Pens or Pencils?

Answer: A good fountain pen is my favorite.

How do you want your work to be remembered?

Answer: My work encapsulates nature.

Website: https://www.emaluna.com