About
Bio
I don't usually talk about myself in the third person, but most grant and exhibition applications request a "traditional" bio in the third person, so here I go ...
"Donna’s approach to art is intuitive and expressive, pushing the limits of watercolour and acrylic to follow her adventurous soul in vibrant colour. Her work can be found in private collections across North America, in the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. She has studied with artists and coaches across Canada and the United States; and has taught locally, provincially and online. Donna’s most recent exhibitions were at the Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre in St Andrews, NB and at the Charlotte St Arts Centre in Fredericton, NB.
Donna has also been active in promoting the arts in her community and in the province, having served on the Charlotte St Arts Centre Board and on the New Brunswick Museum Board. Born in Saint John, she lives in Fredericton with her husband and three sons."
... there, that wasn't so bad, eh?
I don't usually talk about myself in the third person, but most grant and exhibition applications request a "traditional" bio in the third person, so here I go ...
"Donna’s approach to art is intuitive and expressive, pushing the limits of watercolour and acrylic to follow her adventurous soul in vibrant colour. Her work can be found in private collections across North America, in the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. She has studied with artists and coaches across Canada and the United States; and has taught locally, provincially and online. Donna’s most recent exhibitions were at the Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre in St Andrews, NB and at the Charlotte St Arts Centre in Fredericton, NB.
Donna has also been active in promoting the arts in her community and in the province, having served on the Charlotte St Arts Centre Board and on the New Brunswick Museum Board. Born in Saint John, she lives in Fredericton with her husband and three sons."
... there, that wasn't so bad, eh?
Artist Statement
At the most basic level, I paint from a sense of deep-rooted curiosity. The adventure and thrill of getting to figure things out by birthing new creations is my passion. My aim is not to replicate external reality, but rather to do the inner work to get down on paper or canvas the essence of a moment or a journey. I hope to inspire and command the viewer’s attention, to gift them with one precious moment when time stands still. In that moment, like a rocket launching or a firework exploding, a portal to freedom and possibility is opened where they can explore and experience their own emotional reactions and stories.
When I am working in series, I begin each piece with an intention or bits of story, followed by a creative process of listening to my intuition and infusing the elements of design into the work. To my mind, paint is a magically expressive medium. I live to set it free, to entice it to move and dance without restraint, using my hands, brushes, knives and found objects. Colour is the music that inspires the dance. I work with a bold colour palette, leaning toward a preference for transparent colour, layering and layering again.
Over the past two years, I have been exploring colour and movement in several series; including the Bold Series, which expands on the concept of doorways and openings; the Power of Red, which is a mystical examination of focal points of red; Amphitrite's Treasure, which explores the undersea world of the Greek Goddess; and the Bouquet Series, which takes a vibrant approach to capturing the essence of floral beauty. I've explored squares in the Square Dancing series; and the joy, colour, and energy of (my very favourite season) spring in the Spring Collection and the June Collection. The August Collection took a playful view at summertime. (Check out what's available in the shop.)
At the most basic level, I paint from a sense of deep-rooted curiosity. The adventure and thrill of getting to figure things out by birthing new creations is my passion. My aim is not to replicate external reality, but rather to do the inner work to get down on paper or canvas the essence of a moment or a journey. I hope to inspire and command the viewer’s attention, to gift them with one precious moment when time stands still. In that moment, like a rocket launching or a firework exploding, a portal to freedom and possibility is opened where they can explore and experience their own emotional reactions and stories.
When I am working in series, I begin each piece with an intention or bits of story, followed by a creative process of listening to my intuition and infusing the elements of design into the work. To my mind, paint is a magically expressive medium. I live to set it free, to entice it to move and dance without restraint, using my hands, brushes, knives and found objects. Colour is the music that inspires the dance. I work with a bold colour palette, leaning toward a preference for transparent colour, layering and layering again.
Over the past two years, I have been exploring colour and movement in several series; including the Bold Series, which expands on the concept of doorways and openings; the Power of Red, which is a mystical examination of focal points of red; Amphitrite's Treasure, which explores the undersea world of the Greek Goddess; and the Bouquet Series, which takes a vibrant approach to capturing the essence of floral beauty. I've explored squares in the Square Dancing series; and the joy, colour, and energy of (my very favourite season) spring in the Spring Collection and the June Collection. The August Collection took a playful view at summertime. (Check out what's available in the shop.)
See My Work
To browse available works and hand-embellished and hand signed canvas prints suitable for shipping within Canada and the mainland United States, please visit my online shop under the Shop tab above.
Attention Interior Designers (& Everyone Else)
My not-so-secret-squirrel stash documenting all or most available paintings of all sizes is here.
Inquiries to info@donnamulhollandstudio.com.
To browse available works and hand-embellished and hand signed canvas prints suitable for shipping within Canada and the mainland United States, please visit my online shop under the Shop tab above.
Attention Interior Designers (& Everyone Else)
My not-so-secret-squirrel stash documenting all or most available paintings of all sizes is here.
Inquiries to info@donnamulhollandstudio.com.
