Biography

Dana Harrison is a fine artist and graphic designer who grew up in the suburbs near Toronto, Ontario. She received her formal education in graphic design at George Brown College and has since established herself as a seasoned designer, having worked in Toronto for over 25 years. Her professional experience encompasses various projects, including branding, print and digital design, and advertising.

In recent years she has relocated to the village of Warkworth, Ontario, where she now resides on an acre of land surrounded by countryside and natural beauty. This change of scenery has given her a unique opportunity to focus on her passion for fine art, which she has been pursuing in conjunction with her ongoing design practice.

Combining her extensive professional background in design with her inspiration in the natural world, she has produced a compelling body of work. Her current focus is on further developing her art practice and exploring new mediums and techniques to capture the essence of the rural landscapes surrounding her. Her innovative approach to design and art is characterized by her keen eye for detail, technical expertise, and a deep appreciation for nature and the environment.

Statement

As an artist, I focus on botanicals and create large-format artwork using a scanner (Scanography). My goal is to capture the intricate details of plants and flowers, making them larger than life to foster a deeper connection with the nature that surrounds us.

Using a scanner allows me to capture botanicals with incredible clarity, revealing the tiniest patterns in leaves and delicate textures of petals. I carefully compose the samples on the scanner's glass, balancing between letting the plants be and guiding them into pleasing arrangements. Working upside down adds surprise and depth as the compositions come to life through multiple scans.

 I avoid digital manipulation, preferring to move the arrangements by hand to avoid overworking them. The only digital adjustments involve cleaning dust, dirt and colour correction. By making the compositions float in space, I draw attention solely to the plants and enjoy observing viewers trying to decipher the piece and understand how it was done. The scanner's sharp focus allows the rest to fade, emphasizing simplicity over technology. Through my art, I encourage a closer examination of the natural world's importance in our lives.

CV

Exhibitions 

2024 The Artist Project Contemporary Art Fair - Toronto

2023 Kingston Square Foot Show, Tett Centre - Kingston

2023 “Making Warkworth”, Ah! Centre - Warkworth

2023 The Artist Project Contemporary Art Fair - Toronto

2022 The Artist Project Contemporary Art Fair - Toronto

Solo Exhibitions

2023 Plants & Flowers, Royal Service Office - Warkworth

Press and Publications

2023 New Visionary Magazine, Issue 8 - Print Magazine

Representation

Beheld.ca

Collectors

2022 Intuit Inc., - Toronto

Education

1995 Graphic Design, George Brown College