Sally Donovan
Sally Donovan was an art major throughout her secondary education. She attended the Arts Students League, in Manhattan after high school. A hiatus from painting led her to a Masters in Social Work in 1980 . In agency work and private practice, she specialized in working with children. Her modalities were sand play and art
therapy. The artist’s focus on painting over the last 20 years has become more serious and disciplined. She has established a definitive style as she explores new subjects to paint.
Instruction from : Ralph Stone Jacobs, Whitefield NH. and Professor Al Beyer, USCA has been invaluable. Sally has also taken part in plein air workshops and exhibits. In both New Hampshire and the South she has participated in juried art shows, group shows, and solo exhibits. Her work is in private collections in several states. She is pleased to be a member of supportive art organizations : Aiken Artists Guild, Aiken Center for the Arts, The Morris Museum in Augusta, GA. WREN (Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network, Bethlehem,NH.) She has also been the recipient of several awards: Aiken Center for the Arts, South Carolina State Fair,2010, Anderson Art Center, 2008,CharlotteFine Art Gallery, 2014 and
Mc Cormick SC.2014. She was selected as an Artist in Residence 2006, 2012 at the South Carolina State Parks.
Artist Statement
For the most part, I use a palette of primary colors and mix my paint as I work . I believe half of painting is mixing colors. Taking the time to get the color I want is very important to me. Most of the time mixing reds, yellows, and blues works best. I paint with oils, using tints and layers.If my palette becomes too “messy” I will wipe off the mixing area and start fresh to avoid the loss of clean colors.
I want the choice of subject to hold my interest. It has to be lights, darks, different angles, and something I see that I hope I won’t tire of. I like the challenge of different or more complicated subjects but at times I take a break to paint a more comfortable or familiar landscape. I enjoyed plugging along and seeing the progress.
