Diana Tonnessen

Bio

I am a Florida artist and printmaker whose handmade limited-edition linoleum block prints take a nostalgic dive into a wacky world of alligators and flamingos, mermaids and swamp creatures, fruit stands and funky motels. Through whimsical compositions, luminous colors and the rustic texture of the linocut, I aspire to capture the charm and allure of Old Florida as a tourist destination.

My creative process begins with an original photograph, sketch or composition, which is reversed (everything prints in mirror image), transferred to a block of linoleum and carved by hand. Each print is created by applying ink to the block with a hand-held brayer, covering the block with a sheet of paper and either rubbing the back of the paper by hand or feeding the block through a hand-cranked press.