DajanaHeremic

My name is Dajana Heremic (27) : artist and woman of the crafts in northern Netherlands. I am an illustrator and painter and I work with the ancient craftsmanship of wool - felting, spinning and needlework such as weaving, nalbinding and dyeing with plants. I make felted woolen collars, hoods, bags and Viking hats that are inspired by nature and the ancient world of mythology, folklore and the occult. The wild woolen furs are organic and animal friendly. My paintings and illustrations are available both as original or as a print. All items are handmade by me with much care and affection.

Origin
My work and passion comes forth from a love I had discovered in my early childhood. My heart would radiate whenever I was drawing, working with wool or in touch with animals. Drawing I was always quite good at, so I guess it resides in my genes and it always allowed me to go into my inner Kingdom and create on wall and paper a Universe of it’s own. Ever since I was a little girl in former Yugoslavia, my grandparents have taught me old crafts they had learned when they were children. My grandmother Smilja thought me to work with wool – knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing and spinning – giving me my first set of knitting needles and yarn when I was only 6. My grandfather Stojan is a beekeeper, a crafter and used to be a shepherd when he was a boy. So in his footsteps I stepped becoming a crafts woman, beekeeper and a shepherds apprentice, unifying my creativity and my love of animals.

After finishing the Academy of Arts - where I specialized in classical painting and illustration – I felt a strong urge to pick up the thread and needle again and to bring together the things I love most. That rhythm that resided quetly in my fingertips, waiting for me to return, wildly shook my imagination! And the creations that had been fueled by my passion for historical reenactment, books, botany, folklore and mythology of Old Europe just poured out of me. The archaic images I paint and illustrate, and the wild woolen clothing I create came together so solemnly.

Illustration, painting & print
My work breathes my profound love of nature, her rhythms and the powers that work within. The images I create derive from the old meaning of the word 'nature': 'to be born’ or ‘the essence'. Thus I am in search of our origin, the source. I create archaic images steeped with myth, nature and the passing of time; in which animals and gods tell the story of our ancient past. In consequence I am creating a world in which humans and animals are related to one another, belong together, and thus seal their bond and ancestry.

My paintings and illustrations are available as prints – A6 and A5 postcards & A4 and A3 posters. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to purchase any of my original pieces, or for commissioned work.

Wool
Felting is an ancient craft – applied thousands of years ago to make tents, rugs and clothing – basically using only wool, warm water, soap and muscle power. The wool I work with most is from the Dranthe Heath sheep – an ancient Dutch breed that is held by friends and local shepherds and shorn annually. It’s an animal friendly and local material that I use to create my felted collars and other wild & royal clothing. Because of the natural crafting process and the ancient heather fields and forests the sheep walk through daily, you're likely to find a charming, small twig or leaf in the felted fur. Every product I create is unique. I also make custom pieces, contact me for more info and possibilities!

Contact
Please feel free to contact me after purchasing my work or beforehand. I’d gladly answer all your questions, make an appointment to come and visit me and my workshop, or talk about commissions and other wishes. I would also really love to hear and learn from you afterward, and receive a picture of my art in your surroundings for my portfolio.

Visit www.facebook.com/DajanaHeremic or www.dajanaheremic.com for more info or updates!

Thank you so much for supporting me and my art, and making my work possible. I truly appreciate it!

Kindest regards, Dajana