Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilana Dashe
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My connection to art is deep rooted. My mother owned an art gallery in Bogota, Colombia before we immigrated to the US. – she remains my inspiration and connection to art. My BFA in Visual Communications supports a successful career in design and advertising for over two decades. However, having the chance to live abroad in Tokyo (2016-2021), shifted my primary focus from design and advertising to fine art. During my six years in Japan I discovered a passion for printmaking. What began as a hesitant step into a local studio quickly grew into a deep love for the medium. I immersed myself in the techniques of monoprinting, lithography, and screen printing, learning alongside Japanese artists and teachers.
Since my return to the U.S., I have made it my primary purpose to express myself and my visions through printmaking and my work as a professional artist.
As a single mother of three, including twin daughters, I’m committed to showing them what is possible for a woman with passion, priorities, and drive—specifically through my art. While I support my family through my design work, I recognize my success since exhibiting my fine art locally over the past three years and can’t ignore the overwhelming response from collectors and the general public. I know I have just scratched the surface in my artmaking process and visual exploration. I am moved deeply in this phase of my life to create, and continue creating.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Beginning a business abroad and transferring it to the U.S proved to have its challenges at the start. From finding similar printmaking materials locally, to setting up a workable studio in my home, to building connections in California I basically had to start fresh.
Committing myself to my art business fully is a leap of faith and proof of determination in my passion for art and what I do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Colombian-American printmaker, artist, graphic designer and entrepreneur in North County San Diego. With a 20+ year background in corporate design and advertising, I merge my consulting experience with my art background to solve brand challenges, and create marketing solutions for small businesses. As a fine artist, I am known best for my clean, modern designs. I uses patterns in unique color combinations inspired by raw elements of nature to find beauty where structure meets the organic.
I use custom mixed inks on high quality papers and combine lithograph, silkscreen and mono-printing techniques to create original artwork directly on press. My passion comes alive through each layer of her unique hand-printing process.
My original artwork is on permanent display at Studio 33 in the Spanish Village Arts Center, Balboa Park. Additionally, I exhibit locally in San Diego galleries and internationally in Tokyo, Japan. You can find me on a walk gathering inspiration, at pilates, or spending time with my three spunky children while pursuing my passion for the creative process.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Aside from my mother, my true artist mentor, I take much inspiration from the artist Joan Miro. His surrealist works as a child inspired my abstract creativity and showed me the possibilities through art at a young age.
The clean lines of the Mid Century Art and Design movement guide my artistic expression through color and appreciation of architecture and minimal design.
Recently, the support of my business coach, Rashelle Roberts has been invaluable. Similar to myself, her background in design and advertising and leadership help guide my fine art and design business today.
The support of my close and extended family & friend network in San Diego makes the day to day pursuit possible. It takes a village. The three faces of my children and their unwaivering love and support and awe for what I do make it all worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dasheprints.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dasheprints/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/dasheprintsart
- Other: https://villageartists.villageartsandeducation.org/villageartists/idashe/ and dasheprints.etsy.com
