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Virginia has found a passion in painting she never
anticipated. She began to paint to ‘help a friend’ by enrolling one of her
classes and found that art changed her life profoundly.
"Painting feeds my love of travel and vice versa. My sense of
place deepens dramatically when I can immerse myself for a few hours, analyze
what draws me to a particular spot and paint from the heart. I can feel the
wind, recall the soft sweet smell of the grasses, remember the old man walking
his dog as I treasure my paintings done en plein air. Even studio
work allows me to revisit a special place from a plein air study and become so
engrossed in my work that I can almost put myself into the painting. Each
work has encouraged me, challenged me and rewarded me all at the same time."
E. Virginia Palen Donovan is a life-long
resident of the Hudson Valley and is intent on working to promote a public
interest in the rich heritage of the area. Through her award-winning art,
Virginia has sought to portray her love of the river and the valley. |
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Her work is currently hanging in private
collections from Japan to Germany, and Arizona to Maine. She has studied
watercolor with internationally renowned artists such as Robert Wade of
Melbourne, Australia, Barbara Nechis of California, Tom Lynch of Illinois, Frank
Webb of Pennsylvania, Judi Betts of Louisiana, and Janet Walsh and Mel Stabin of
New York State. In addition she has been studying oil painting with Mary Anna
Goetz and Christie Scheele and has taken workshops from Hongnian Zhang in
Woodstock. Her passion for painting allows her to combine her desire to expand
her horizons, paint, photograph, travel and meet new people.
She also creates beautiful jewelry from
precious stones and gems - many of which are found on her travels.
Virginia is a partner of The RiverWinds
Gallery in Beacon, New York. She co-chaired the First and Second Annual got art?
Auction for Barrett Art Center in Poughkeepsie. Virginia was also the Treasurer
of IBM Art Club and curated many art shows for the Hudson Valley Artisans Guild.
She currently is currating the Gallery Shows at the Brass Anchor Restaurant.
Virginia has been active in the Bannerman’s
Castle Trust, a local group organized to promote interest and support of the
preservation of Bannerman’s Island, currently owned by the State of New York,
Taconic Parks Commission. She has participated in numerous Bannerman’s Art Shows
and Artists on the Rock painting events and auctions.
Virginia is retired from IBM after more than
35 years of service. She serves as Secretary on the Board of Bannerman’s Castle
Trust, and has been a member of the East Fishkill Historical Society, Save the
Esopus Commission, Mid-Hudson Photography Club; and an associate member of the
North East Watercolor Society, IBM Art Club, Woodstock Artists Association and
the Barrett Art Center.
Sunset Cedars - 16 x 20 oil
Cape Calm - 24 x 30 oil
Field and Sky - 24 x 30 oil |
