DONNA FRATESI
"As artists we all need that time before beginning to feel the process stir somewhere inside. To create something beautiful out of nothing is a gift. The longer I work, the more I see, soon I am somewhere in a zone that makes me very happy. My mind is filled with colour and design. It’s a good day."
Biography
Donna was born and raised in Hamilton but has lived in Burlington for many years. Basically self-taught she studied with various well known Canadian and American artists. Donna organized and ran Famous Artists Workshops in Bonita Springs Florida giving her the opportunity to work with Tony van Hasselt, Charles Reid, Burton Silverman among others. She was included in the coffee table book “Artists in Their Studios – Naples, Florida” and in 2008 was made an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour. One of her paintings was chosen by the Ontario Government for their archives at Queens Park. Her paintings are held in private and public collections in Canada, United States and the United Kingdom.
Artist Statement
For many years I worked in watercolour but found myself searching for a medium to better express what I felt and discovered acrylics. Influenced by painters like Ken Auster, Peter Brown , Patrick Saunders and Anne Blair Brown I felt excited by what was possible with this new medium that allowed me to layer colours and glaze without worrying about the under painting, I could seek to explore the mystery in my work. I can feel the aura of the homes I paint and wonder who lived there and what their lives were like. The sun shining on the side of a home, gradually moving into shadow excites me. It gives me an opportunity to record scenes that, in a few short years, may be gone forever. Florals come from my heart. I love the lushness of my garden, it makes my soul sing. Who can feel sad when surrounded by the beauty of flowers. We all need to stop and smell the roses in this hectic world. 2022 BOUQUET EXHIBIT– These past two years have been a difficult time for all of us. Like many of you, I have suffered the loss of a loved one. But....as someone once said “there is within me an invincible summer”. I found a great need to express this “summer”. From the moment I put brush to canvas it burst forth. These floral paintings express all of the pent up energy and longing for a better time I have been holding inside.
