Biophilic Interiors by Ratna Dalal
On view in the display case through February 2025
Bring the outdoors in! Don’t miss this exhibition of ceramic tiles, wallpaper, and mugs. If you are looking for ideas to upgrade your home in unique and beautiful ways, then this exhibition is perfect for you. While seasons come and go, botanical art is never out of fashion! Learn more and purchase here.
About the Artist
Ratna Dalal is an architect by profession and a five-star rated author (of 3 books), botanical artist, blogger, and designer at Zazzle by avocation. For over 30 years she has indulged in botanical painting to unwind from the highly computerized world of architecture, as it leaves her hungry for color and curvilinear forms. Hence the subjects of her paintings are colorful flowers and leaves. These are inspired by the beauty of the four seasons in the North-east of U.S.A. and are in the medium of mostly watercolors.
What began as a hobby has evolved her into an artist as her paintings have adorned many exhibition walls in New York, book covers, book pages, e-magazines and blog posts. In 2017 she collaborated with Zazzle, an online platform, where she designs machine made products with handmade art by her. In the seven years since then her products have sold in seven countries spread out over four continents!
You may ask why do it? Due to rapid urbanization and advancing technology, people are losing touch with nature. Hence with the objective of infusing your life with the joy and beauty of nature, digital images of her original artwork are formatted on a variety of products as canvas. Hence the products in Ratna’s online store attempt to reconnect people with nature’s beauty.
Lisa Libretto Art
On view throughout the Library through January 2025
Artist’s Statement
For me, photography and painting are intertwined.
My love of photography is about getting out there, capturing something that others will miss, and the joy I realize when I examine my photos later and find something unexpected. The night sky and surrounding landscape have taught me to observe and to trust my instincts. I go into the darkness to capture the light. To be a part of the moment when the landscape appears and we stop to admire what was right in front of us all along.
My abstract paintings are intuitively created using mixed media, acrylic, and oil paint. I utilize various markmaking tools to create a unique expression of color and texture. In combination, these substances and techniques are my interpretation of the atmosphere around me or that of a photo experience I need to express in paint.