ABOUT THE ARTIST
I have painted most of my life. Never having any formal training I took a few weekend workshops to improve my skills. No matter what the medium I could always use something out of those workshops to enhance my own work. I have won several awards displaying pen and watercolor in art shows and galleries. My work has been featured on the front cover of the arts and lifestyle section of the newspaper and several articles were written about my work. Out of all the different artwork mediums I use I think the watercolor is my favorite. The following information is about the various surfaces on which I paint: My pen and watercolor batik work is done on a special Japanese paper. No two are exactly alike because the fibers grab the color making many subtle changes from painting to painting. These paintings are quite unique and get a lot of attention in galleries and shows. I was recently showcased in the 2007 Holiday House with several of my commissioned pieces for the Bunce-Bates family. My watercolor is shown at art shows for sale and do commissioned paintings for individuals, decorators and businesses using this technique. My love of the Victorian period, camping, fishing and collecting rocks helped me put together something that’s more than just a hobby. I use a portion of a large stone and paint old worldly Santa’s on them. My collectors are located all over the U.S. and other countries. My pieces have been given for Christmas, birthdays and wedding gifts. Each one is unique in its own special way which is noted on the back of each piece. Saint Nicholas of different countries seemed a good choice for my first adventure. Traveling to major rivers all over, I selected stones that were large enough to support a painting, had character and could stand alone. I took photos of people that I saw interacting with others and painted them into Santa's, children visiting Santa, Angels as well as reproductions of old postcards from the late 1800’s to the 1920’s. The rocks are signed and the river of origin is noted on the back. Buildings are constantly being updated or torn down in my historical area of Winston-Salem and Greensboro, N.C. I was able to get the contractors to part with a few slates from the roofs. The extra holes in each slate are where the nails held it in place. These slates date back to the 1800's. All pieces come with origin, signed and are sealed to protect them from the elements. I'm sure if you love history this information would be important to you. I could purchase new slates but they are thinner and they just don’t have the history that my clients and I appreciate. The Folk Santa and My German and Folk Santa are the only ones that I do repetitiously. Care instructions come with each. I do commissioned work of Santa’s, owner’s antique pieces, houses and offices on any surface. It takes a little longer to do these, especially when doing someone's Bed and Breakfast Inn or old home place. Please feel free to e-mail or call with your questions. If by phone, leave a message when and where you can be reached and I will call you back.

Mussel shells on North Carolina beaches look like Santa’s to me so I decided to paint a very detailed Old World Santa face on each one using the shape as my guideline. No two are alike. These ornaments ornaments have been worn as a necklace with ribbon. They sell for $12.50 U.S. plus S&H. I have been painting these since 1985 as my own original design using the weathered old world look with large blue eyes and a long nose.

Thank you for visiting my website. Come back often to see our updates.

Donna

Paintings and designs on this website cannot be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the designer.