Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Theresa
Hi Donna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I found my creative journey late in life. After a career in medicine and the raising of my two now adult children, I found myself with time on my hands. Enrolling in our community college art courses began my practice in painting. I am a pastel and watercolor artist . I focus on the nature and wildlife of our beautiful Central Coast area and the Monterey Bay. Early on in my pursuit I was a daily painter and found a serious practice gave me the foundation and confidence I needed to continue. I began entering local, national, and international exhibitions and was juried in with a 60% acceptance rate. That too, gave me the confidence to grow in my artistic practice. I participate in the Santa Cruz County Open Studios Tour annually and have found a foothold in our very creative community with a loyal following.
Today I find myself drawn to our feathered friends and paint from observation, study, and daily birdwatching. I am beginning to stretch my composition skills with study under various established artists.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Painting in soft pastel is a very delicate process. It is a continuous push/pull mark making experience. Working with clunky sticks of professional dry pastel is a challenge and some have found the unpredictable application too frustrating to continue. Painting in pastel is not a direct process. There are a myriad of ways the marks find their own way on the paper and not exactly what one intends. Still, I persist until I am happy with the result.
To deal with this type of frustration, I turn to my brushes and water. Watercolor , for me, has been a reprieve from the aforementioned challenges of soft pastel. It is direct, clean, and precise. There is room for experimentation and watercolor has taught me to let the water and pigment ‘do their own thing” at times. I paint realistic renditions of birds and flora. I paint in my watercolor studio in the evenings and it is very relaxing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional painter in the mediums of soft pastel and watercolor. My current focus is birds and the natural habitat they reside in. I gather my inspiration from my backyard birds, the shorebirds of the Monterey Bay, marshlands, and my rescue parrot.
I feel proud to bring life to my subjects. My birds are alive on the paper and my collectors mention this time and again. I believe what sets me apart from others, is my unique mark making in pastel. Imprecise yet realistic, my feathered subjects become my feathered friends each and every one of them.
What does success mean to you?
Defining success is a big question. For me at this stage in my life, success is waking up eager for the new day. A good cup of coffee to start it off. Having time in my day for my creative pursuits , whether it be painting, gardening, or cooking. My family is my greatest success. I am so grateful to have a 30 year marriage and two incredible adult children. That is success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://donnatheresafineart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnatheresafineart/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donnatheresafineart/
