blue bird of happiness | suzanne donazetti
My vision is to communicate with color, through the refractive lens of weaving, brief moments of light in the natural environment. I seek to create changing, complex pieces that will engage and provide a sense of meditation. I live in Carrizozo, New Mexico near the Valley of Fires, in the desert, surrounded by mountains, under a large sky where each day presents new moments of light and dark and color. It’s a very inspiring place.
Over 30 years ago, I began experimenting with painting on copper. I first applied chemical patinas to the copper but the colors achieved were not rich enough. So I experimented with different materials until I discovered a combination of metallic leaf, transparent inks, pigments, water and wax. I cut the painted copper in curves and weave the pieces together to create a refracted, contrasted quality to each piece.
The design and fabrication process is complex and labor intensive, with many layers. The results are random and often surprising. I begin with 36 ga. sheet copper to which I apply metallic leaf. After light sanding I paint two layers – the warps and wefts – with transparent airbrush inks, liquid acrylics and pigments mixed with water. The painted copper is cut in curves and woven. Because there are so many steps involved it is very difficult to duplicate a piece. So each painting is an original.
You might see my artwork in such places as Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT; The Alaska Supreme Court, Anchorage, AK; The New Mexico Emergency Management Center, Santa Fe, NM; Time Inc. Conference Center, New York, NY; as well as hotels, hospitals and corporate spaces. My art is represented by Mark White Fine Art in Santa Fe, Gallery 408 in Carrizozo, and Tapestry Gallery in Madrid, New Mexico.
-Suzanne Donazetti
See more of Suzanne Donazetti’s work HERE.