Biography

Donna's travels over the past 25 years have provided a starting point for design work. Since living internationally in Iran and the UK, and taking advantage of the proximity of Europe to travel extensively, she has been exploring handwork through various arts and crafts since returning to Canada. Through the Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild (Calgary) she became involved in book arts. But with the completion of the City & Guilds program in Embroidery and Design, she has been thrown into the world of textiles and all forms of needlework and, most importantly for her, the component of design. She is now drawing on her previous (and current) travels for inspiration in her work.

Artist Statement

I have always enjoyed making art in various mediums. Although I started working with paper and its various forms (bookmaking being my favourite) I have recently completed a four-year program which has introduced to me to textiles. This course covered the "how to" of every embroidery technique while encouraging a contemporary approach by combining multi-methods. The design component that was concurrently taught opened up a world of possibility to me. Opening our eyes to the world around us and adapting 'anything' into a viable design has been one of the most satisfying parts of this experience. One thing I have learnt over the past four years is my passion for texture - I find I am always drawn to a touchable surface. One that involves the senses. I enjoy the play of light, the layers of colours, the juxtaposition of combining different tactile fibres and strive to always present a visual feast for the viewer.

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Education
  • Studied under fibre artists from 2000 to present: Pam Godderis, Martha Cole, Amanda Jones, Maggie Grey, Natalie Grambo, Lyn Pflugger, Sandra Meech, Dorothy Caldwell, Shannon Wardropper, Margaret Beal, Lisa Engelbrett, Sherrill Kahn, Ann Johnston, Charllotte Kwon, Rosalie Dace, Michael Brennand-Wood, Daniella Woolf
  • Artist Residencies: Banff Centre, Leighton Studio, Banff March 2008, Banff Centre, Leighton Studio, Banff March 2009
  • Design and Embroidery, City and Guilds of London Institute, under Gail Harker 2000-2004
  • Conferences: EAC Seminar, Halifax, 2003, EAC Seminar, Edmonton, 2006
  • Bookies - artist book group which meets monthly since its inception in 1996
  • Joined Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild in fall 1994 and have taken many classes in lettering styles/crafts/paper techniques over the years
  • Gulf Canada Resources, oil and gas industry, Reservoir Engineer working on offshore developments, 1981 - 1986
  • BSc (Engineering) University of Alberta 1981

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Exhibitions
  • Bridging Waters, Saint John Art Centre, Saint John, NB, Nov 8, 2013 to Jan 10, 2014
  • Bridging Waters, Art Centre Gallery, Sidney, BC, Sept 1-14, 2013
  • Bridging Waters, The Cre8ery, Winnipeg MB, May 10-18, 2013
  • Calyx Art Exhibit, Calgary AB, 2013
  • Bridging Waters, Maeldune Heritage Centre, Maldon UK, Aug/Sept 2012
  • Bridging Waters, Textiles on the Hill, Horndon on the Hill UK, May 2012
  • Bridging Waters, Brentwood Road Gallery, Romford UK, Feb 2012
  • Calyx Art Exhibit, Calgary AB, 2012
  • Women Rock, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff AB, Oct 2011
  • Calyx Art Exhibit, Calgary AB, 2011
  • Narrative Articulations, Victoria Collage of Art, Victoria BC, 2010
  • Ess-cape, Quilt Canada, Calgary AB, 2010
  • Life Just Is, 2-woman show, Nectar Desserts, Calgary AB, 2009
  • Urban Textures, Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg MB, 2009
  • Urban Textures, McMullen Gallery, Edmonton AB, 2009
  • No More White Walls, Other Gallery, Banff AB, 2009
  • Fruits and Flowers, 2-woman show, Nectar Desserts, Calgary AB, 2008
  • ExtraOrdinary Places - Canada's UNESCO Sites, 2-woman show, McMullen Gallery, Edmonton AB, 2008
  • Meta Incognita, Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax NS, 2008
  • Landscapes, 2-woman show, Nectar Desserts, Calgary AB, 2007
  • Meta Incognita, Banff Centre, Banff AB, 2007
  • Meta Incognita, in conjunction with Calgary Opera and the world premiere of Frobisher, Calgary AB, 2007
  • Just For Fun, Edmonton Art Gallery (April/May 2006), moving into Alberta Craft Council Gallery (June/July 2006), Edmonton AB
  • Places I've Been, 2-woman show, Art and Soul Gallery, High River AB, 2006
  • Links, fibreEssence Gallery, Vancouver BC, 2006
  • Links, Alberta Craft Council Gallery, Edmonton, AB, 2005
  • Alberta Badlands: Fibre Impressions, The Station Cultural Center, Okotoks, AB, 2005
  • All About Alberta, Alberta Craft Council, Edmonton, AB, 2005
  • Calgary Exhibition and Stampede (in 'Calligraphy' section, and specially created 'City and Guilds' section), 2004
  • Healing Through Fibre Arts, Edmonton Art Gallery (May 2004) moving into the Alberta Craft Council Gallery (July/Aug 2004), Edmonton, AB
  • City and Guilds of London, Graduation show for Design and Embroidery four year tutorial program, Calgary AB, 2004

Affiliations
  • Articulation - Mixed Media Artist Group
  • Surface Design Association
  • Focus on Fibre Art Association
  • Alberta Craft Council
  • Embroidery Association of Canada
  • Calgary Guild of Needle and Fibre Arts
  • Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild, Calgary

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