My Name is Donna Underwood.The Annapolis Valley (Nova Scotia, Canada) is my homeland.
Many of my childhood hours were spent alone, twirling about on my swing and skating on a small patch of ice in the swamp.
My best friends were wildflowers, mud puddles, sticks and stones. Early schooling took place in Victoria Vale (a one
room school house) and I graduated from MRHS in 1961. I received a scholarship to attend the Junior School for
the Arts in 1959. My Mother taught me how to rug hook with cut wool strips. From my parents I learned to love and appreciate
nature.
Studies include (my 1st Art Lessons, Oils) in Junior High School from life long inspiration,
the late Jean Chipman), watercolors, graphic design, calligraphy, silversmithing, (which I loved with Frank Phillips, weaving
(which I hated, it took me 18 hours to weave a dishcloth), at the age of 40, I took up ballet and learned to ride a bicycle,
(a year of balance). Other interests were/are landscape gardening, mask making, writing, belly dancing, making
things with trash and standup comedy,(I made a 5 minute comedy demo tape, but nobody called) lol.
I painted my first oil painting at the age of 11 without the help of instructions.
I drew my 1st nudes at the age of 9 and I got a strapping for doing such a bad drawing.
The Teacher thought the drawing was immoral; I thought I couldn't draw.
AWARDS
CAS of NS, Hfx. Juried Show, 1995 - Hon. Mention, Acrylic,
"The Unity Candle" 16 by 20
Apple Blossom Festival of Art 2002
1st, Oil Pastel, "Path of the Feather"
1st, Mixed Media, "Friends Near and Far"
Apple Blossom Festival of Art 2003
3rd Acrylic, "Golden Angel"
Apple Blossom Festival of Art 2004
1st and Judges Choice
Acrylic, 'Work and Play"
and then the Judge bought the painting;
it doesn't get any better than this!
Apple Blossom Festival of Art 2006
1st, Acrylic, Abstract, "The Dancers"
Annapolis Valley Exhibition 2001
1st, Acrylic, Landscape, "Mt. Carleton"
Annapolis Valley Exhibition 2002
1st & Judges Choice, Oil Pastel, self portrait "Redhead"
1st, Acrylic, Seascape, "The Bay of Fundy" 24 by 36
Annapolis Valley Exhibition 2003
1st, Acrylic, People, "Off to Market"
2nd, Watercolor, Still Life, "The Last Cherry"
Annapolis Valley Exhbition 2004
1st and Best Animal Oil Painting- oil pastel
"The Dragon Fly"
1st, Acrylic, Self Portrait, "Me"
1st, Acrylic, Still life, "Fresh Fruit"
1st, Acrylic, Seascape, "Fundy Tanker at Dusk"
3rd, Oil Pastel, Landscape, "My Swing"
2nd, Watercolor, Still life, "Painter's Bench"
2nd, Acrylic, Flowers, "Lupines"
3rd, Acrylic, People, "Mary's Islanders"
3rd, Painting Any Medium, Mixed Media, "Fundy Pirates", 24 by 36
Annapolis Valley Exhibition 2006
1st, Acrylic, Mini, "Sunset"
1st, Abstract, Mixed Media, "A Perfect Day"
1st, Oil Pastel, "Magic Carpet"
1st, Acrylic, Self Portrait, "I am Woman"
1st, Acrylic, Flowers, "Sunflowers in Full Bloom"
1st, Acrylic, Abstract, "The Dancers"
1st, Acrylic, Seascape, "Margaretsville Fantasy"
2nd, Oil Pastel, Self-Portrait.."Me with Hair Bow"
2nd, Acrylic, Still Life, "A Bed of Roses"
3rd, Acrylic, Arch., "Old House, Torbrook"
Special Ribbon, Acrylic Landscape, "Along the Trail"
Annapolis Valley Exhibition 2007
1st self portrait oil
1st self portrait acrylic
1st mini oil - Road Race
1st any medium..collage "Cabin Fever"
2008 Annapolis Valley Exhibition
1st, Seascape, Acrylic
1st Oil Pasel, Still life, Bowl
1st W/C min Home Sweet Home
1st Oil Mini Horse
I am entering these awards from memory...humm..I
have to consult my entry form to list the rest of them.
EXHIBITS
Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton, 1997, 22 paintings
Blue Monday, Middleton, Feb 2002, "Reflections of Love"
over 50 oil pastel works
Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton, Dec 03/02 to Feb 4/03 and May 13/03
to Jan 6/04 Showcase Displays, Art and Crafts, better known as Donna's Stuff.
Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton, 2005, 17 paintings
VANS, Anna. Royal West, Folio Show, Artists's Books, "Trip North" and Gods
of Light".
VANS, Hfx, Westin Hotel, Art in a Box, "Blue Moon" and "Beyond", March
2 to June 30/07.
OTHER AWARDS
MRHS, Middleton, 1959 Scholarship to Attend Junior School of the Arts
NS Dept. of Education, 1989 & 1990, best designed fitness t-shirt
Bridgetown, Esso Quilt Challenge, 1992, one of the two 1st prize winners,
wall hanging, "Needin" Gas"
Annapolis Regional Arts Council, 2001, Folk Art Junk Piggy Bank, Peoples Choice
Award
Just for the fun of it, I wrote an un-edited novel "Betsy's Mind" of 50,000
during International Write a Novel month of November 2003, certificate received
Anna. Valley Ex. - Crazy Patch Christmas stocking, 3rd
Anna. Valley Ex. 2006 - Decorative Art, 3rd, 5 by 7,
folk art house winter scene
Anna. Valley Ex. 2006 - 2nd stuffed homemade doll 'Uncle Fred"
Anna. Valley Ex. 2006 - 3rd Primitive hooked mat "Parade"
Anna. Valley Ex. 2006 - 2nd recycled craft, "Framed Trash Art"
Wilmot Garden Club 2004 - Members Choice Award, Best Christmas Centre Piece
Wilmot Garden Club 2005 - Members Choice Award, Best Christmas Wreath
I work in all mediums and create one of a kind folk art pieces with
wood, fabric, junk or from whatever happens to be in my path. A few years ago I lost my creative spirit and then I picked
up a box of oil pastels. An end is a new beginning. Working with oil pastels became a daily committed disciplined
habit. Every week I reduced a box of oil pastels to bits.
Oil Pastels allow me to work spontaneous, aggressive and furious, sometimes
I add pencil, ink, paint, or whatever is within my reach. The pastel I have in one hand when I finish a work is the same one
I use for beginning the next, regardless of the paper color. These semi-abstracts are simplistic, mysterious, puzzling, beautiful,
erotic, frightening, and sometimes they are just a riot of color and marks. It all comes out. I call the works my life in
pictures. The works puzzle me and amaze me; I give full credit to the Divine Creator. I also have a great Muse.The
complete collection is for sale, many of the works have won awards. At present I am not doing many new oil pastel works, well,
every now and then, because I can't help myself. lol, but I am reworking some of the collection which under my critical eye
I consider are under par. Acid free lazer reproductions of an oil pastel work are for sale.
I paint mainly in acrylics, from memory, of something seen
and felt, of places and things of the past and the present and of things to come. I prefer to paint abstracts but I also enjoy
painting expressive realistic paintings which are full of energy, movement, texture and color....Hummm..my fingers did something
to change the font.
PRESENT MEMBERSHIPS
The Artists' Circle
VANS, Visual Arts of Nova Scotia
Annapolis Regional Arts Council
Macdonald Museum
Valley Loopers (mat hookers)
The Wilmot Garden Club
When visiting, ask to read my first book, uncensored, it will take you all of 5
minutes. It has over 60 mini works and some unusual text.
I have at least 90 paintings on the wall and 3 dressers, (not drawers) full of pastel
works, I would be happy to show you my art at any time.
Sometimes I present an Art Show and Tell,to various groups. They say I am inspirational.
My work surfaces as a spontaneous subconscious process; I get out materials and just do it. I have learned many things about
art but I consider myself self-taught; "You learn by doing, there is no other way" quote by John Holt.
Why do I paint? Create? It sets me free. It is my journey. It is a healing force.
It is my passion and my bliss.
My life's work was Accounting, Claims Verification and Cost Analysis.
Now I am retired and at play again.
I sold my 1st drawing using markers, in the early 60's for 10 cents. I have never been
to Tancook Island, NS, nevertheless this drawing was drawn on a piece of paper about 3 by 4 inches in size,
of a church on Tancook Island, it was purchased by Don Woods, he said I would be famous someday, but he didn't say for
what. lol
My work had been collected internationally. My work can be seen at my home, the
Artists' Circle Summer time art shack by the Margaretsville wharf, visit the old fish shack, now an art shack on line
at
http:///wwww.theartistscircle.caOther places to see my work are, Pasta Jax, Middleton, The Valley Regional Hospital - The Apple Bin Gallery, VANS, Annapolis
West Members shows, The Seniors Art & Photo Gallery Halifax Trade Centre, Annapolis Regional Art Council, Members shows,
The Macdonald Museum, Middleton, special shows by the Artists' Circle,
The Greenwood Mall - The Apple Blossom Festival of Art and the Christmas Art Show by the Artists' Circle.
I particiapte in Middleton's Art from the Heart in October and Paint the Town
at Annapolis Royal in August.
The past few years I have been working in Acrylics, size 8 by 10, mostly because
of storage space . These paintings easily fit into plastic sleeves and are placed in binders which I lend out to anyone
that is interested. The works are for sale.
Translation of lol - laughing out loud.
If you read all of this, thanks! Donna
