Donna Fasano (1972, Chicago, United States) is an artisan working in a variety of media, primarily wood, leather, fabric and paper. By focusing on techniques and materials, Fasano considers the interplay between art and craft which is executed with modern tools such as laser engraving combined with traditional materials and finishes.
Designs emphasize extensive research into source materials such as such as the heliocentric solar system engraving in Tycho Brahe's 'De mundi atherei recentioribus phænomenis', counterpointing straightforward function with a whimsical wit, extending an invitation for one to play with the objects. Her works are notable for their precision and tactile nature, presenting modern craftsmanship to be integrated with humor and intelligence and designed for play within one's daily life. Donna Fasano currently lives and works in the Santa Fe Art District of Denver, Colorado.
My family's heritage is composed of engineers, designers, tinkerers, fabricators, lovers of lore and literature & one known luthier . We have been solving puzzles of mind & material for over 500 years, which may have had some hand in my choosing to pursue a degree in Scenography from the University of Kansas.
I've lived, worked, cooked, laughed, explored and devoted myself to adapting my theatre design craft to my surroundings in three countries outside of the United States. While stateside, I evolved through different applications of design and fabrication, ultimately choosing to use a laser engraver to combine modern precision with traditional craftsmanship.
As a devotee of pencil to paper to prototype to product, my process typically involves extensive research into source materials in order to develop original designs which I then integrate into playful objects.
My 40 watt Epilog laser engraver is the power tool of the 21st century, but it requires a knowledge of materials & fabrication that comes from my traditional craftsman background. Experimentation & play are part of my process, as well as collaborating with other designers & craftsmen to create new works outside of what I offer in at art markets and renaissance festivals.
Original designs which reference and directly cite science, literature, & geek culture comes with the prerequisite to delve into the original source material for accuracy. I'll create or adapt vector graphics to be suitable for laser engraving (such as the heliocentric solar system engraving in Tycho Brahe's 'De mundi atherei recentioribus phænomenis').
Research into original source material is a glorious scavenger hunt, revealing more enticing tidbits than those which appear here & providing the inspiration for future designs.You will often find links to to some of the inspiration and research that went into the creations I offer. For fellow process nerds, I share much of the design and fabrication progress via Instagram & Facebook
FIELD TRIPS- Be curious! Investiga! Fridays are my day to cook up some randomness and follow where curiosity leads. Small moments outside the shop can lead to weird and wonderful inspiration. I post pictures & follow up research for #FieldTripFriday on my social media sites. Sometimes I'll open up the field trip to whomever wants to join in. Keep it curious, folks! Follow me on Instagram @owlandhourglass
THE STUDIO
Densely organized within 260 square feet of design & production space you'll find a reference material library, art, a 40 watt Epilog laser, command center (AKA laptop), stacks of prototypes, packing station, finishing station, & my coffee mug. I occasionally augment the square footage by going en pleine air, setting up a couple of sawhorses linteled with a slab of something broad & flat. Studio tours available upon request.
Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday-Sunday by app't