The photos above and below were taken in Columbus, Ohio, at the Ohio Watercolor Society Ceremony in 2023, when Donna received Signature Status in this Society.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My first memories of creativity were very early in life! At the young age of two years, I remember drawing on the wall with my mother's lipstick. I loved the way this moved smoothly across the surface. Transparency and movement have always dominated both my landscapes and my still life works. Just as I am inspired by rolling hills or the movement of ocean waves, swaying tree limbs, and grasses in nature; I am motivated to paint soft folds in fabric, as they roll beneath and around the objects in a still life. When painting En Plein Air, my spiritual senses are awakened as I study shapes, colors, and changing light. Sparkling, transparent waters of my landscapes are echoed by reflections of cut glass and other objects in my still life paintings. Transparent oil and transparent watercolor pigments find their way into all of my creations. Upon graduation from Wright State University, I began teaching Secondary Art at Fairlawn High School, in Sidney, Ohio. Following those four years at Fairlawn and one year off teaching to raise our firstborn, I went on to teach art at Tecumseh High School. Upon early public school retirement due to now raising two young boys, I began painting professionally. As well as painting daily, I update my website, and send out her bi-monthly newsletters, wherein I share my latest paintings and discuss my methods and techniques. As well as painting professionally, and facilitating an OPEN ART STUDIO for fellow artists, at the Troy Hayner Cultural Center, in Troy, Ohio; I also teach private lessons in my home studio.
"I myself do nothing. The Holy Spirit accomplishes all through me." (William Blake)
PLEIN AIR & STUDIO
I love to paint outdoors, in warm weather (pleinair). When painting En Plein Air, I strive to re-create the atmosphere I am experiencing, whether it is the soft warm breeze over water (shimmering lakes, rivers, waterfalls, or ocean waves), the pungent fragrance of a newly harvested field, or the stark, impressive buttes of the Southwest. In the studio, I strive to re-create and enhance these experiences, as I work from field studies and/or photos. I also do commission work (portraits, pets, landscapes) and still life.
AFFILIATIONS
Ohio Watercolor Society (Signature Member)
Western Ohio Watercolor Society
Piqua Arts Council
Fairborn Art Association
GALLERIES
Carousel Gallery (Alvin Putterbaugh, 937-846-1946)
125 S. Main Street
New Carlisle, Ohio, 45344
The Starving Chicken (Dave Sands, 937-206-6201)
117 East Court Street
Urbana, Ohio 43078
PIERCECLARKART STUDIO
Online Galleries
Fine Art America and Daily Paint Works
JURIED EXHIBITS and AWARDS
2024 Ohio Watercolor Society
CHINA TOWN, SAN FRANCISCO was recently chosen for the 2024 OWS Exhibit. This will be in the traveling show. Awards are forthcoming for this exhibit. Updates soon!
2023 Ohio Watercolor Society
ONE MAN BAND was chosen for the OWS 2023 TRAVELING EXHIBIT and was shown in many cities across the state of Ohio for one year.
2022 WESTERN OHIO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
NOW WHERE DID I PUT THAT?
Juror's Comment:
"Honorable Mention goes to Donna Pierce-Clark for
Now Where did I Put It?
For its bravery in depicting a
difficult composition with a figure in motion
in a complicated downtown scene.
The awkwardness of the body in motion and the
reflections on the parked cars won me over."
2022 FAIRBORN ART ASSOCIATION
SENTRY won Third Place
2021 OHIO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
ONLY ONE was chosen for the 2021 OWS Traveling Exhibit.
2020 PIQUA ARTS COUNCIL
JOY IN FISHTOWN was awarded Third Place.
2017 Ohio Watercolor Society
Holbein Artists Materials Award, for
"It's Tough Being Transparent 29X20,"Columbus, Ohio
JURORS STATEMENT
"The strong value contrast is reinforced by the beautiful, abstracted shape of the arrangement.
The dark washes are luminous, and are a rich foil for the lighter areas." Mary Whyte
2015 Ohio Plein Air Society 2015 Juried Exhibition, Springfield, Ohio, OHIO PRAIRIES, Springfield Museum of Art
2014 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
2013 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
2012 Ohio Plein Air Society 2012 Juried Exhibition, Springfield, Ohio (December 1- January 13, 2013), Springfield Museum of Art
2011 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
2010 Aquarius National Watercolor Exhibition, Colorado
2010 Troy Hayner Cultural Center, Ohio, "A Splash of Color," a 3-woman show
2010 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
HARVEST GLORY was awarded FIRST PLACE in Transparent Watercolor
2009 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
2008 Art Association of Randolph County, Indiana
2007 Art Association of Randolph County, Indiana
2006 Art Space/Lima, Lima, Ohio (Plein Air)
2005 Western Ohio Watercolor Society, Springfield, Ohio
OLD THORNY FACE was awarded BEST OF SHOW
2005 Ambience Benefit, Springfield, Ohio
2004 Chautaugua of the Arts, Columbus, Indiana
2003 Munce Fine Art Fair, Zionsville, Indiana
2002 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
2001 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
2000 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
1999 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
1998 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
1997 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
1996 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
1995 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
1994 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
1993 Western Ohio Watercolor Society
SOLO Exhibits/ Demos/ Workshops
(Myself and Private Student, Catherine Craft, at Fifth-Third Exhibit)
- Troy Hayner Cultural Center, Fall 2016
- Bear's Mill, Greenville, Ohio, April 1 - May 8, 2016
- Fifth-Third Bank, Dayton, Ohio, pleinair and studio works, September, 2013
- University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, Marian Exhibit, 32 paintings and one sculpture, August-October, 2011
- Troy Hayner Cultural Center, Ohio, “A Splash of Color,” a three woman show
- Synesthesia Gallery, Centerville, Ohio (YUPO Exhibit & Workshop), 60 Abstracts on Yupo, Summer, 2010
- LAWS, Lima Area Watercolor Society, Lima, Ohio (Transparent Watercolor Workshop) 2010
- Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society, Cincinnati, Ohio (Open Acrlic Demonstration & Workshop) 2009
- Centerville Art Gallery, Centerville, Ohio 2010
COLLECTOR COMMENTS
This is drop dead gorgeous for so many reasons! The way you captured the luminescence of the pearls, the incredible detail of the center and crucifix, the sheen of and reflective quality of the pitcher, the textures and coloring of the flowers and leaves, the way you have used blue and purple and then blended them and brought them together in the foreground, the metallic decoration of the container; I could go on and on. This is one of those standout paintings where you really show your great flowering (and no pun intended)! And your skills on so many levels; there is more here than just a fabulous painting; something spiritual and a new height you have reached with your work. I stand before you with my cap in my hand and I am speechless! Bravo Donna and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elizabeth
(PS. Elizabeth is the proud owner of this painting)
MORE COLLECTOR COMMENTS
Donna-
I finally got your amazing painting framed- with museum quality glass! Just picked it up this week as an anniversary gift for my husband. I will send you a photo of it very soon- it is amazing. The people who framed it said it was the most beautiful painting they had ever had at their store to frame! Many thanks! Jen
Hi Donna,
I purchased one of your Lakeside Stone Collection paintings. I still love it today as much as I loved it when I first saw it. I have very wonderful memories of lakeside with my family and this painting was done out front of our cottages on the lakefront. It puts a smile on my face every morning when I walk past it. Thank you for your talents. Libby (a collector)
Good morning Donna,
I just viewed the class demo on your website. I very much enjoy viewing your paintings. Can only say WOW!!! I am so excited about taking your classes...I am becoming comfortable there. I think I can now gain the confidence that I have lacked. Thanks to you. Julia
"Donna,
Thanks so much for demonstrating on Yupo for our Lima group. We appreciate your skills and talent, and enjoy seeing how paint reacts on the Yupo surface. You control the uncontrollable!" Linda Lehman (and LAWS members) Lima Area Watercolor Society, Elida, Ohio, October 20, 2009
Donna- your eggplant is masterful!!! Such luscious color I could eat it! Wow!
Love,
Barb