Who am I and what do I do?

I am Donna Berry a visual artist and I produce realistic works of art using water mixable oil paints. Nautical scenes of the beautiful Bay of Fundy are often my inspiration. I enjoy the contrast in tonal values from the deepest blues of the Bay to the sparkling of highlights on the surface of the water produced with a mixture of yellow ochre, raw umber and white among other colors.

Is there an element of art I enjoy most?

The element of art I most enjoy is the period when objects in the painting start coming together. This happens as I work through the details by adding paints and blending various area together. At this point I will stand back and view my work. Although the painting is yet to be complete it will hold a degree of positivity and will soon be ready for public showing.

Best and worst part of  profession?

The best part of being an artist is having the ability to take an abstract idea through a creative process and with paints, brushes and canvas am able to transform the idea into a painting.

The worst part of my chosen profession is the uncertainty over whether a painting is sellable. Evenwith this factor I still paint subjects that inspire me rather then choose to paint what is popular at the time.

What is integral to my work?

An integral part of my work is producing paintings that reflect the beauty displayed in scenes around me.

Beauty is everywhere and my challenge is to capture this on canvas.

The most important artist’s tool

The most important tool for an artists in my opinion is the brush. The brush is the connection between the creative process and the canvas. As color is applied with the brush the creative process begins and with many necessary strokes applied a new painting begins.

Why do I do what I do

I choose to do this type of work because it is an important part of who I am. I express myself on canvas especially with my surreal paintings such as the works I produced after the implosion of the old General Hospital in 1995.

Donna’s page