We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Donna Weathers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Donna below.
Alright, Donna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
I’ve always loved figure painting and came to really love abstracted figure paintings years ago. I knew I could paint something by seeing a model or a photo but how do you make a person’s features disappear? I knew it was possible to do this in photoshop but leaning that seemed too daunting of a task. I also knew there were apps that could do something similar but not exactly what I needed. Eventually I discovered two iPad apps that I now use together and have been using consistently to start any painting that isn’t abstract whether it be a figure, a landscape or wildlife. I still use them!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
After 25 years in Los Angeles, CA, and eight years in Atlanta, I moved back to South Carolina. I studied art in college at Georgia State University and Otis College of Art & Design in Los Angeles, but I am mostly self-taught.
Painting was the natural progression from drawing. I work on both small and large scale canvases, creating both abstract and figurative works. I have had numerous group shows, with my work found in public and private collections around the world.
I sell original artwork and high quality prints of my artwork. I also put together an online self paced figure course that is available on my website.
I am very proud to have painted a 4’x8’ abstract painting for the new Hotel Hartness in Greenville, SC which is prominently displayed over the fireplace in the sitting room. They also chose four large gicleés of my figurative images to be featured in the spa.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.
I sell on my own website and use Shopify. One of the biggest pros of that is not paying a 50% commission to a gallery. One of the biggest cons is you need a good mailing list. I’m still working on building mine.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
I follow my clients on Instagram and I send out periodic newsletters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://donnaweathers.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/donnaweathersart
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/donnaweathersart