Exhibitions & Events:

Stephanie Diani, Beauty Under Scrutiny

Los Angeles, CA
January 6 - February 25

Artist Statement-

I make photographs to tell stories. Whether the tales be factual, as in DAMES: Legends of Burlesque, or fictional, as in Scenes from a Marriage and Man Made God, all of my projects begin with a desire to tell a story and, if possible, to entertain. The topics that I choose are informed by my fascination with aging, relationships, the process of artistic inspiration and the ideal of beauty, be it internal or external. I manipulate shadows and light to obscure and highlight the layers and details of my images. By doing so I hope to invite the viewer into the photo to explore, and to give them the space to have their own response to the subject matter and the subjects.

Artist Bio-

Stephanie Diani is an award-winning photographer based in Los Angeles who, when not exploring a visual theme or storyline on her own, works with editorial, entertainment and advertising clients. Many of her assignments and personal projects develop from an anthropological interest in the people and groups of people around her and a desire to know the “who” and “why” of their lives. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally–in the fall of 2011 her series of burlesque dancers was one of the projects chosen for exhibition in the GETXOPHOTO Festival in Getxo, Spain. Her photography has also been featured in Communication Arts, Graphis Photo Annual and Fotoweek DC. She lives in LA with her husband Tim, their dog Cosmo and two cats, Weegee and Simone.

Featured Series-

• DAMES: Legends of Burlesque, An ongoing series featuring women who have been performing burlesque for decades
• Scenes From a Marriage
• Man Made God Faced with writer’s block, man creates God in his own image and worships.

Courtney Wasson, Woodcuts
November 4 - January 28

Artist Statement-
My work is inspired by collectibles and “artifacts”. As a young girl, I spent a lot of time with my parents going to antique malls and helping out at my mother’s shop. I saw how collectibles could define a person or how a person could make a statement with their collection. I became interested in these invested images and items people used to communicate their beliefs and worth.

To put it simply, I’m interested in symbolism and how we invest or imbue meaning into a symbol. The extensive use symbolism in our society is fascinating. I enjoy how a symbol can bring a depth of meaning. I also enjoy secret languages our symbols can create – such as the Victorian language of flowers. I look at these symbols and investigate how I would use them to communicate a simple idea, feeling, or adage.

I enjoy the process of printmaking. I like that it is not immediate. It takes physical effort and time investment. I find the process of printing is engaging. Carving a woodblock, the sound of ink as you roll your brayer, the anticipation of pulling the print through the press, and the physicality of the printed image pressed into the paper is rewarding.

My block prints are simple, black and white images created using a technique that doesn’t try to mask or hide the wood block – by leaving some chatter on the print, as well as wood grain.

When I begin a piece, I find a symbol and try to marry it to a word or saying. I am exploring the relationship created between image and word, and often find different associations between the two. I choose woodcuts as my medium because of the time and effort it takes to create the image. It’s a religious activity, I like the idea that I often have to come back to the block several different times and engage in the cathartic action of carving the woodblock. For me, knowing that these images weren't quick and easy to create gives them more meaning.

Artist Bio-
Courtney Wasson is the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center Shop Manager and a Freelance Designer in Kansas City, MO. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Kansas City Art Institute, where she double majored in Printmaking and Art History. Her studio work consists primarily of woodcuts and mixed media assemblages.

Holiday Show
December 2 - January 28
Come experience a unique collection of artwork for you and yours this Holiday season and new year.