DONNA SANSON
Art has been a part of Donna Sanson’s life since childhood. Her aunt was a commercial artist and traveled around the world on painting workshops with Dong Kingman, Rex Brandt, Frank Webb and others. The photos, the stories, and the paintings her aunt shared with her presented a visual world of excitement and wonder, and a strong desire in Donna to become an artist.
Her journey began at the age of nine when Donna’s teachers selected her for a special Saturday morning art program at Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa. It wasn’t until 1984, however, while studying in the Fine Arts Department at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, that she began to paint with watercolor. She still works primarily in watercolor and enjoys the challenge of its unforgiving nature. Her subjects are the familiar – fruits, vegetables, local scenes – simplified and stylized with interesting color patterns and strong, balanced compositions.
In September of 2005, Donna followed in her aunt’s footsteps and traveled to Italy for a painting workshop at La Romita School of Art with session instructor Carol Maddox. The program introduced Donna to a variety of Umbrian hill towns and the special magic of Italy’s ageless beauty and wealth of art and history. Primarily a studio painter, Donna enjoyed the special challenges presented by plein air painting when light, color, and fleeting moments must be captured quickly and with feeling.
After operating her own art gallery for four years in Fremont, CA, Donna closed her business and joined with nine other Bay Area artists to form the Portola Art Gallery in Menlo Park. She continued to exhibit her work at PAG until moving to Beaverton, Oregon in January, 2008.
Her work has won numerous awards over the years, and is in private and corporate collections throughout the United States. Prints of three of her paintings are a part of the City of Fremont’s traveling Sister City Art Exhibit; and Senator Liz Figueroa selected Donna’s image of the Sunol Water Temple to represent her district in the California State Senate Contemporary California Art Collection in Sacramento from March 2003 through September 2004. Niles Main Street Association and Mission San Jose Chamber of Commerce have both used Donna’s images to promote their Wildflower Festivals, Antique Faires, Quilt Shows and Olive Festivals; and her design graces a recent cover of Tri-City Voice’s What’s Happening Magazine.
For additional information on exhibits or pricing, contact Donna directly at 503.477.0489. For watercolor class information, go to the Art Classes page.