At the start of the Covid pandemic, I decided challenge myself to try something new. I stepped away from my paint, canvas and brushes to learn the art/craft of Needle Felting.
Needle felting is the art of two or three dimensional wool sculpture using armatures, various barbed needles and a variety of different kinds of sheep’s wool.
I have been happily crafting all kinds of various ‘critters’ due to my love of animals. The process is very addictive and making them always lifts my spirits and brings me a smile.
With the help of wonderful online tutorials by needle felting artist Sara Renzulli from Maryland, U.S.A, I was able to complete many projects. Her website is: www.sarafinafiberart.com
Please visit my ‘Needle Felting’ page to see my felted family.
The Alberta prairie has always been a source of inspiration for Donna. Living in a rural setting, just West of Calgary gives her a firsthand opportunity to observe much of the indigenous plant and animal life and to consider various ecological and cultural issues facing our fragile environment.
Her body of work as an artist is undertaken in response to her observation of urban encroachment upon wild spaces. She wishes to examine various culturally held notions and values concerning our co-existence with wild spaces and animal habitat.
On her daily walks, she often has the privilege of encountering a multitude of wildlife, like deer, moose, coyotes, porcupines, owls, hawks and numerous members of the ‘corvid’ family (magpies, ravens and crows). These encounters never cease to lift her spirits and allow her to honor and respect the natural world and enable her to find her place in it. She champions these subjects as survivors, which seem to thrive and adapt exceedingly well to urban sprawl and now have become an urban problem and concern.
Her artistic process is to paint the subject in a representational manner on an abstract background, setting up a juxtaposition of subject and environment.
Donna strives to open a dialogue between the art and the viewer which may challenge how we perceive culturally charged thoughts concerning ourselves and our co-existence with wild spaces and indigenous animals.
Many of her recent animal paintings are based on her photographs taken while on travel adventures around the world.Donna is a certified Yoga Instructor, who teaches several classes a week in her community. She also volunteers at the Cochrane Humane Society.
Donna earned a BFA ‘with distinction’ as a painting major from the Alberta University for the Arts, formerly ACAD in 2003. Her work can be found in many private and corporate collections.
She is a member of The FCA, Federation of Canadian Artists.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2003 Alberta University for the Arts, formerly ACAD, Calgary AB., Bachelor of Fine Art with “Distinction”( painting major).
1996 Alberta University for the Arts, formerly ACAD, Continuing Education, Watercolor
1995 Alberta University for the Arts, formerly ACAD, Continuing Education, Painting
1971 Mount Royal College, Calgary AB., Interior Design Diploma
Work Experience
Active member of the Federation of Canadian Painters (FCA).
Currently works from a home studio.
Solo Exhibitions
2002 “Urban Coyote”, Marion Nicoll Gallery, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB.
Group Exhibitions
2021 State of Art Society, Show and Sale, Strathcona Community Centre
2019 State of Art Society, SAS, Strathcona Community Centre, Spring Show
2017 State of Art Society, SAS, Strathcona Community Centre, Fall Show
2016 State of Art Society, SAS, Strathcona Community Center, Calgary AB
2015 State of Art Society, SAS, Strathcona Community Center, Calgary AB
2013 State of Art Society Show and Sale, Strathcona Community Centre, Calgary, AB
2011 State of Art Society, SAS show and sale, Strathcona Community Centre, Calgary, AB
2009 SAS presents ‘Smashing New Art’ Strathcona Community Centre, Calgary
2008 SAS presents “Contemporary Art in the City”, Al Azhar Centre, Calgary
2007 SAS presents “Contemporary Art in the City”, Al Azhar Centre, Calgary
2007 SAS presents “Contemporary Art on the Ranch”, Bearspaw, AB
2006 “Triangle Gallery of Visual Arts 2006, Studio Art Sale”, Calgary, AB.
2006 “The Urban Landscape”, Image 54 Gallery, 709 -11th Ave.SW. Calgary AB
2004 “Four Directions”, # 408 – 319 – 10 Ave.SW. Calgary AB
2004 “Untitled Artist Run Centre” #428 – 319 – 10Ave.SW. Calgary AB
2004 “Poland Group Show”, #371, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary
2003 “Alberta College of Art and Design Graduation Show”, Calgary
2003 “Alberta College of Art and Design Spring Show and Sale”, Calgary
2003 “Celebrating Watercolor”, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary
2002 “Alberta College of Art and Design Christmas Show and Sale”, Calgary
2002 “3rd Year Painting Show”, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary
2001 “Sun and Salsa Art Show”, Kensington Area, Calgary
2001 “Alberta College of Art and Design Spring Show and Sale”, Calgary
2001 “Alberta College of Art and Design Christmas Show and Sale, Calgary
2000 “New York/New York” Show and Sale, Alberta College of Art, Calgary
Donations
2020 Hair of the Dog Fundraiser for The Cochrane Humane Society
2019 Cochrane and Area Humane Society, Wags and Whiskers Gala, Cochrane Ranche House
2018 Cochrane and Area Humane Society, Wags and Whiskers Gala, Cochrane Ranch House
2017 Cochrane and Area Humane Society Gala, Cochrane Ranch House
2016 Cochrane and Area Humane Society, Unleashed, Glen Eagles Golf Course, Cochrane AB.
2015 Cochrane and Area Humane Society, Unleashed, Cochrane Ranch House, Cochrane, AB.
2014 Four Feet Companion Fundraiser, Calgary, AB
2013 Bearspaw Ladies Legacy Dinner and Fundraiser
2011 Bearspaw Ladies Legacy Fundraiser, Bearspaw Golf Course, Calgary, AB
2011 NYC Alberta College of Art and Design Fundraiser, Calgary, AB
2009 ‘Gems of Hope’ Fundraiser, Bearspaw
2009 Bearspaw Ladies Legacy Dinner and Fundraiser
2008 Bearspaw Ladies Legacy Dinner and Fundraiser
2008 Alberta Mentor Foundation for Youth, AMFY
2007 Ducks and Company “Fashion With Compassion”
2007 “Gems of Hope” Fundraiser
2007 Alberta Mentor Foundation for Youth, AMFY
2007 Bearspaw Ladies Legacy Dinner and Fundraiser
2006 Alberta Mentor Foundation for Youth AMFY
2006 “Cocktails for Critters”, Humane Society Fundraiser
2005 “Gems of Hope” Fundraiser
2005 Alberta Mentor Foundation for Youth, AMFY
2004 Alberta Mentor Foundation for Youth, AMFY
Publications
2003 Contemporary Fine Art Review, Current Projects, issue number 4, April 2003. Nicole Thiessen writes on Donna Jopling “In the Spirit of the Coyote”.