Artist’s name: Diana Stith Brennan
Shop name: D. S. Brennan Photography
Website: dsbrennan.com
Blog: dsbrennan.blogspot.com
Twitter: @dsbrennan

1. Tell us about your work
The ultimate goal of my work is to translate scientific details into accessible, affordable art. Right now my main project is my Natural History series. I've been working on Seaside, Botanical, and Woodland series as well.

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter?
Well, I took my first photography class in high school, and have had an obsession with photography ever since. In 2006 I left a day job that was making me miserable, but didn't have anything else lined up. That's when I started D. S. Brennan Photography. It was a learning curve of trying different paths (product photography, portaits, etc.) but fine art photography is what stuck and what I love.

3. Where do you draw your inspiration?
The short answer is "Nature". My degree is in Environmental Science and this allows me to see and understand a lot of natural, scientific details. Like I said earlier, I'm all about the process of converting that science into art. My Natural History series, for example, was inspired by memories of going behind the scenes at museums as an undergraduate at URI. I choose subjects that are beautiful, but that also provide information about the world around us. In fact, I've just started a new series on my blog called "Art & Science" that attempts to share that connection. www.dsbrennan.blogspot.com/search/label/artandscience

4. What’s your favorite item to make?
Large format prints, definitely. I have a 34"x34" print of my 'Specimen 652' in my living room and having it at such a large size just makes me giddy. The largest I've printed for a client was 42"x42" and I'm eagerly awaiting a photo of what it looks like in her room.



5. What’s your best seller?
I'm pretty sure at this point 'Albino Blue Jay' has topped 'Specimen 652' in sales. They're my two favorite photographs - obviously my buyers have great taste!

I think this is my favorite, too!

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
I was born, raised, and educated in Rhode Island, though I defected to Connecticut for 2 years.

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I love Black Point in Narragansett, I love that I know the back roads to the beach in summertime, and I'm really starting to love Providence - what an amazing city.

8. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
I'm a member of the amazing Arts in RI Etsy Street Team, and I want to thank my teammates for their support and general awesomeness! artsinri.com