We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Diana Bloomfield. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Diana below.
Diana, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I try to keep evolving and have never been content in repeating myself. So many times, I see artists who have been successful at one singular way of working, and they just continue their entire career doing that one singular thing. While I can understand the appeal, I also like to be challenged. So if I become too comfortable and the art-making becomes too easy or rote, I make changes. Working in 19th century photographic printing processes, specifically the unpredictable and variable gum bichromate process, consistently provides a challenge for me. I do feel that I’m at my creative best when I’m never quite sure what I’ll achieve in the end. And while I always have a dreamy kind of vision of what I want, I try not to have any concrete expectations or pre-conceived ideas of what the end project “should” look like. I try to stop myself before perfectionism– a creativity buzzkill– creeps into my thoughts.
About 7 years ago, I started this project where I created a piece of handmade artwork every day for a year. An artist friend of mine had done that, and I thought it sounded like so much fun. I was just arrogant enough to think, “Well, who couldn’t make a piece of handmade artwork everyday for a year?” So I started this project in February of 2018. I quickly lost a bit of that arrogance when I soon realized that I had not considered that the 24 hours in a day includes 7 or 8 hours of sleep; eating meals; going to the grocery store; watching a movie; visiting friends; maintaining some kind of yoga practice– just daily living. But I did finish that project, never missing a day, and it was such a liberating and eye-opening exercise. I realized how much I can create in a single day; I lost any kind of perfectionism I might have had– because there was just no time for it– and the creative possibilities suddenly seemed endless. Sometimes, I did nothing more than create origami cranes with Christmas wrapping paper, when Christmas Day didn’t allow much time for anything more. But I still created something with my hands. And this “365 project” led to a new (and continuing) series for me, entitled “The Old Garden.”
Bored with just hand-printing my images during that year, I returned to a decades-old love of the handmade artist book. I had taken one afternoon course, many years before, loved it, and never picked it up again– until this project. And now, this is one of my favorite ways to create art. I also appreciate the liberation that stems from literally deconstructing my own handmade prints to build a totally different art form, one that creates new meanings and new ways of seeing. The book form is challenging for me in many ways, so that keeps me fresh and interested.
I don’t feel there’s enough time in the day, or years ahead of me, to learn more ways of creating those perfectly imperfect handmade art forms.
So, constantly evolving is the way I keep my creativity alive. I also gain inspiration by seeing artwork where I think to myself, “Wow– that’s incredible! I wish I’d thought of that.” I find that viewing and experiencing art that isn’t derivative or following the trend of the day– but, rather, is unique and original– both inspirational and eye-opening.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been an exhibiting photographic artist for 40 years now. I specialize in 19th century photographic printing processes, including gum bichromate, cyanotype, and platinum/palladium. I also create one-of-a-kind hand-made artist books, deconstructing my own prints to create those books. Ultimately, I would love to transition from putting my prints behind glass to solely making books with those same prints. I teach workshops on these techniques across the country, and also in Norway. I am teaching this summer (2025) at Penland School of Crafts and also at Mountain Intaglio, both located in the North Carolina mountains; at Anderson Ranch, in Colorado; at Maine Media Workshops, in Maine; at the Santa Fe Workshops, in New Mexico; and through NordPhotography, located in Norway. So my summers are filled with teaching the art of handmade printing and handmade artist books. I find that teaching is an inspiring and fun way to connect with others who are interested in these same techniques, and teaching also helps keep these antique printing processes alive.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I try to remember how I first approached photography– as a complete novice with ideas and curiosity, a desire to be challenged, and a longing to learn– but with very little expectation, and certainly no pre-conceived idea of “perfection” (which is always subjective and a surefire way to limit your creative options). In those early days, I was awed by so much that was presented to me. And that approach still holds true today with regard to how I look at my art-making. Every time I go into my studio, I remain open to all the creative possibilities and embrace all that I still want to learn and do. I’m still awed when I learn something new and inspired by all I don’t know and want to learn. So in many ways, I still feel like that wide-eyed novice, filled with ideas and curiosity. Finally, I was fortunate to have incredibly generous and supportive teachers and friends in those early days, and I surround myself with those types of people today. I try to be that person, too, when I teach and when I interact with fellow artists. And when I look at my life like that, I just find a joy in creating where the possibilities seem endless.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I am the third and youngest daughter in a family of 3 daughters. I’ve always felt that by the time my parents had me, they were probably just very tired. So, for better or worse, the best thing they did for me was leave me alone. That’s not to say they were totally hands-off, but they did give me space and freedom. I never felt they were hovering over or micro-managing me. I was never restricted by any expectations of me; consequently, there were no limitations. That offered a great amount of exploration and freedom. My mother, while not an artist, was a gourmet cook, a top-notch seamstress, active as a Girl Scout leader and always active in the elementary school years (with all 3 of us), and highly creative. I think I learned from her just what could be achieved with little material, an excellent imagination, and a vision. So much of what we had was something she created for us. One of the strongest memories of my father is when he took me fishing one day in a small rowboat. I managed to catch a trout, which- in my mind’s eye- was enormous. It probably wasn’t because I was so little I had trouble reeling in that trout. Rather than just take over for me, though, he kept telling me I could do it myself. He sat there next to me, coaching me on how to land it– excited for me as I tried. I still remember that– teaching me how to reel in this big trout, and never once telling me I couldn’t do it, or just taking over. That was a great lesson, and I still remember that sense of accomplishment when I did manage to do it all by myself. And my other strong memory, which may be familiar territory to others, is my father teaching me how to ride a bike. Of course, I fell many times, but he was there by my side as I tried once more to pedal this bike on my own. I kept saying, “Stay there, and don’t leave my side,” as he ran along with me, holding on to the side of the bike. He said he wouldn’t, but when he saw I was gaining some confidence and skill, I pedaled along and suddenly realized he wasn’t there anymore! So having that literal support by my side, and then just letting me go and achieve on my own– what a gift. It’s kind of the story of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dhbloomfield.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dhbloomfieldphoto_dinahlee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianahbloomfield
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-h-bloomfield-1969837/
Image Credits
Diana H. Bloomfield
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