Christenson’s ‘card’ reflects art deco
Diana Christenson created a vintage Christmas greeting card in art deco style for Christmas Card Lane. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – Living in Madison, Diana Christenson has a healthy civic spirit and wanted to contribute to Christmas Card Lane.
“Christmas Card Lane is a wonderful project. I hope it keeps growing. It’s heartwarming to see participation from so many people, knowing the time and effort it takes,” Christenson said.
“Christmas is simply my favorite time of the year. I’ve been known to start designing Christmas projects in the summer for clients,” she said.
Growing up, she always had colored pencils, crayons, clay or paint. “I was fortunate to have great art programs in (my) schools and was encouraged by my instructors to compete for scholarships for college,” she said.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts at Columbus (Ohio) College of Art and Design.
On Christmas Card Lane, Christenson’s “An Art Deco Christmas” is a traditional card that “former Madison residents might have received back in the day. I enjoy relating history to art,” she said.
In fact, her studio, SOCA Galleria at 20 Martin St. in downtown Madison, was a home circa 1920 “when Art Deco became popular here and abroad.” Her “more stylized design uses colors and design elements popular in the era to convey a city scene but also giving a nod to one of our favorite things — pets,” Christenson said.
“Perhaps the lady walking her dog might be on her way to SOCA for a ‘Paint Your Poochie’ event,” she said.
Using acrylic paints on the card, Christenson adhered gold foil with outdoor mod podge and sealed the whole card similarly. “By design, it’s a pretty simple project,” she said.
Christenson’s daughter Tara helps her at SOCA. Her son Daniel will graduate from Bob Jones High School this spring.
At SOCA, “it’s such a joy to work with people … some naturally creative, some just curious, but everyone can find something they enjoy,” she said. Call 256-325-7622 or visit socagalleria.com or Facebook/SOCA Galleria and Twitter @socagalleria.
Christmas Card Lane is illuminated through Dec. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m., founder Shrail Heinrich said.
