We were lucky to catch up with Donna Theresa recently and have shared our conversation below.
Donna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.
As an avid bird watcher, bird advocate, and grandma to a rescued parrotlet , I have an affinity for birds and other wildlife. I also am a vegan and am staunchly working to end animal agriculture in the US. I donate a portion of my profits to organizations I have vetted who work on behalf of animals and birds.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Several years ago I was fortunately introduced to the world of birds. After learning my craft depicting the local landscape of the Central Coast and the seascapes of Monterey Bay, I find myself drawn to the endless amusement of my feathered kindred spirits as they beckon me to continually look up to the canopy and beyond. My intention is to render my subject with the aliveness that I study and observe daily. I wish to depict birds not as illustration but as art alive with expression and movement in their natural habitats.
BIO
Donna Theresa (b.1961) is an American artist from Los Angeles, California.
Her artistic journey began after a career in the medical field followed by the raising of her two now adult children. While studying in a community college figure drawing class, the introduction of color theory with soft pastel spurred the daily painting practice she now enjoys. Mostly self taught, Donna Theresa has studied under Marla Baggetta and other prominent pastel painters.
As an avid bird watcher, bird advocate, and human to a rescued parrotlet, she has found her calling in her feathered muses. Backyard birds are a daily observance and inspiration for her works in soft pastel and watercolor.
Donna Theresa is a signature member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast and a an associate member of the Pastel Society of America, the International Association of Pastel Societies, and others. Her work hangs nationally and abroad in private collections. She has been juried into national and international competitive exhibitions.
My original works are affordable and collectable. I share my joy of nature, birds, and wildlife by making my creations available to all .
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
In Santa Cruz County, California, a yearly Open Studio Tour has brought many new clients my way. Seeing original pastel and watercolor paintings in person is the most effective way that I have found to sell my creations. I have also connected with groups on Facebook who are interested in birding, nature, and wildlife and find that posting my artwork on those group pages fosters new client relationships.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.
I have a website through the platform Daily Paintworks. This platform was created in response to the daily painting movement that started in the late 90’s whereby artists committed to creating a new work daily or continued working on an existing piece daily. I have my own URL address through this platform. I find the community and support most helpful and the audience reach substantial. I do find that selling 2 dimensional original artwork online to be difficult and know that selling in person has a greater success rate for sales.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.donnatheresafineart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnatheresafineart/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donnatheresafineart/