You may think that painting is easy, and to many artists it is.  Easy, as in, "I am so passionate about (insert activity), that everything makes sense and I get lost for hours in an incredible journey.".  Many people can say the same thing about knitting, engineering, reading or brain surgery.  All of the aforementioned activities are incredibly taxing for me, so, "easy" is relative.  Give me something to make marks with, and it's like flipping the switch to an automaton; sometimes even I sit back and watch the magic machine "go".  

The "back story" of art is however convoluted, and confusing.  Going from a canvas in my studio, to something everyone else can see in person, to making prints, and then sharing them, is arduous and challenging.  I had to schlep this canvas to several printers, carefully repacking between locations, all of whom offered large format of some capacity but lacked in another key area.  

"I can scan it, but you have to take it off the frame."
"I can print it, but I can't scan it."
"You have to go to a professional photographer, have it photographed and bring me the file.  Then I can print it."
"I can scan, and print it, but the ink is not UV stable.  It could fade in a few years."

Albiet frustrating, I would't do anything differently THIS TIME, because I met some wonderful small businesses in New York and New Jersey.  Good people, who would bend over backwards to help.

After three weeks of being lost in a "toner and rag" circus, I found myself on a single lane, dirt road, in Cold Spring NY; one way in and one way out.  'Is this it?'  I wondered, switching the truck into 4-Wheel drive, 'This is where I find a state-of-the-art, fine art printer and custom framer?'  "Really?"  I asked Julian (my toddler), he just looked on down the road in anticipation of the "bump-ies".

Indeed! Over the bumps, passed beautiful shrubs and a charming house or two, there is a Holy place for artists; two floors of industry expertise, focused on refined print making and exceptional framing.  It was called "The Highland Studio" and my heart sighed; my journey was over.

Lisa Deibboll and Joe took painstaking care of my work, and created amazing replicas of the painting.  Their guidance was invaluable.  We chose a textured paper, which accentuates every tone on the original.  When I went to sign the limited edition prints, I fought back tears, because it was "real" and my work looked beautiful.

Please contact Lisa at Highland Studio if you ever need your own art prints made.
lisa@thehighlandstudio.com

Lisa Diebboll
The Highland Studio
31 Stephanie Lane
Cold Spring, NY 10516
845-809-5174
www.thehighlandstudio.com

If you are interested in buying a print of "EGRET", please visit our "Paintings" section above.    

Egret is free from my mind,  flying gracefully through the everglades and intensely eyeing the horizon for a nest site.    

There is a strange juxtaposition in the Glades; moist air hangs a veil over the distance, creating a warm, velvety, filter but the water, where visible, looks dark, deep and cold.  Egrets are built for these in-between places, where the heavens, earth and water combine to create a world of shadow dances and deep secrets.  

I admire Egret; the one who silently walks on stilts, sees for miles and finds without searching.  

Total hours: 63+
Medium: Golden Open Acrylic (Slow dry with a touch of oil)
Size: 2'W x 3'H x 1.5" D
Prints: Available

Please contact Sunshine Boyz in Tampa, Florida with inquiries.