Katrina Dienno
AQ is our series of hardcover catalogs celebrating extraordinary women artists. Available on Amazon. Visit the AQ Catalog Webpage to learn more.
Featured in AQ Volume IV: Katrina Dienno is an artist and printmaker born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned her BFA in printmaking from Miami University and her MFA from the University of Cincinnati, D.A.A.P. Katrina specializes in large-scale relief woodblock prints inspired by how women are portrayed in mythology, folklore, and fairytales. Her work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions across the country.
Dienno's art explores themes such as feminism, control, violence, and perceptions of beauty and ugliness through intricate black-and-white woodcuts. Printmaking’s rich history as a storytelling medium strongly influences her, allowing her to examine the cultural relevance of historical depictions of women in modern society. Combining collage and traditional techniques, she creates subversive and macabre reinterpretations of familiar narratives, reclaiming and rewriting these stories to connect past and present.
www.katrinadienno.com
What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to commit to this path?
I’ve always enjoyed drawing. Some of my earliest memories are of copying illustrations from coloring books, doodling, and drawing portraits of my favorite actors from magazines. I spent a lot of time watching movies and cartoons as a child—particularly old Hanna-Barbera and Looney Tunes series. Looking back, I think I tried to make sense of the world by drawing what I saw and experienced.
I don’t know if I ever consciously decided to become an artist; I simply kept following what I loved to do. In college, I was fortunate to meet Professor Ed Montgomery, who introduced me to printmaking and became a lifelong mentor and friend.
Could you share the story or concept behind your recent work?
My current work focuses on how women were perceived and portrayed historically and how those perceptions influence contemporary culture and values. I explore themes of feminism, violence, control, and societal standards of beauty and ugliness. My inspiration comes from diverse sources, such as pop culture, mythology, and comic books, shaped by my fascination with history and storytelling.
Growing up in the Catholic Church also influenced my interest in narratives and depictions of women, adding another layer to my exploration of these themes.
What has been the most challenging part of your artistic journey, and how have you overcome it?
I was the first in my family to attend college and had to balance full-time work with my studies. It took me eight years to complete my undergraduate degree, leaving me burned out and uninspired. I stopped making art for nearly a decade, struggling with anxiety and depression.
Eventually, I returned to printmaking as a way to process my struggles, which reignited my passion for art. In 2020, I pursued an MFA in printmaking—a decision that came with its own challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What role does experimentation play in your artistic practice?
While in graduate school, I began working with large-scale woodblocks and discovered a love for exploring size and technique. Workshops like Big Ink helped me refine this process. Printmaking offers endless opportunities for experimentation, from textures and linework to adding color through techniques like chine-collé. Right now, I’m enjoying exploring where these experiments lead me.
Do you have any rituals before creating?
I spend significant time researching and sketching ideas for new projects. Teaching art history gives me a chance to dive deeply into various art movements, time periods, and source materials, which often inspire my work.
I also enjoy brainstorming at coffee shops with my sketchbook, where I can reflect on the connections between my research and creative concepts.
What message do you hope your art conveys?
I hope my work shows that it’s possible to be powerful, confident, and a woman. Beauty comes in all forms, and I want to inspire others to create and rewrite their own stories.
Share a mantra or favorite quote that keeps you going.
"Just keep swimming!" — Dory, Finding Nemo
