My bio

‘When
a neighbor brought horses into my world, I would sit for hours
entranced by their simplest movements, overjoyed at the living,
breathing animal before me. I would run home and soon find myself
putting their energy into sketches, drawings and paintings.’
The
central theme of my art is an intimate expression of the horse – its
form, freedom and movement in various stages of complexity.
My
technique has been evolving since I was a child when images of horses,
first from books and then from life, became imprinted and bonded with
my creative self. The evolution of a signature artistic style began -
identifiable and enigmatic as the horse itself.
My mediums are inks
and acrylics, oils, pastels and crayons on canvas, cold pressed water
paper and other surfaces. Brushes, calligraphy pens, pallet knives and
very often my fingertips are the tools of my expression. My clay works
and sculpture convey the same nuances of this relationship.
Influences most impacting my work are Bonheur, Degas, illustrator Paul Brown, as well as O’Keefe, Franz Marc and Picasso.
As
my art has matured, growing in complexity and often in size, my
essential vision remains the same - form and movement, style and
balance. These are the elements that appear in my abstract works as
well.




Bio


Donna Bernstein was born
in rural New York, about forty minutes north of Manhattan, the second
of seven children. Self taught from the age of seven, she later studied
during summers with artist Robert Dash in the art colony town of Nyack,
NY. In high school she held her first one-woman show in the lobby of a
local theatre and sold three pieces. This early success fed a passion
for art. She studied privately during the summers with artist Robert
Dash in the art colony town of Nyack, New York. Later, at Hollins
College in Virginia on a creative and writing scholarship, she expanded
her knowledge of art and art history, and after college worked in
advertising, graphics and real estate management. Throughout she
continued to draw and paint from life and her surroundings,
supplemented with studies in Japanese ink work and brush techniques.
In
1998 Donna and her husband moved to McCall, Idaho, and began marketing
her art to numerous shows and galleries throughout the country.
Studying technique at the Boise Art Museum Donna began to sculpt, and
found this was second nature for her. An early piece, “Buck”, created
for The National Ability Center of Park City, Utah, was purchased by
the Bronfman family at auction and donated to the Center’s permanent
collection. Her second casting, “Gosling”, was chosen by the sitting
state Governor Butch Otter for his office, and is part of the
Governor’s Collection at the state Capitol in Boise, Idaho.
Donna’s
work combines vivid colors, dynamic forms, and a timeless subject in a
signature style. Her personal blend of brushes, palettes knives, inks
and paint, create art that is modern and dynamic; bold, yet
identifiably intimate.
Further details are available at www.donnabart.blogspot.com.
Feel free to contact Donna at 208-861-4331



Selected Recent Events:

Woodriver Cellars Winery, Eagle, ID
Hampton Classic, Bridgehampton, NY
Galerie Bel Age, Westhampton Beach, NY
Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
Wood River Valley Medical Center (St.Luke’s) Permanent Collection, Sun Valley, ID
“Ferrari’s and Fired-Up Horses,” Annona / Manhattan Motorcar, Westhampton, NY
Featured Artist, Boise City Arts Commission, Boise, ID
“Horses in Art”, Lynda Anderson Gallery, Locust Valley, NY
Celebration of the Belmont Stakes, Garden City Hotel, Garden City, NY
“Iron Horses”, Lone Star Park, Dallas, Texas
KREISS Collection, Manhasset, NY
Grand National Celebration of Western Art, San Francisco, California
Idaho First Bank Corporate Collection, Idaho
Garden City Hotel, BELMONT CELEBRATION, Garden City, New York
National Ability Center, "Starry Night Gala", Park City, Utah
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR COLLECTION, Statehouse, Boise, Idaho


ARTICLES/Press:

September, 2009 Artist Interview with "The Equinest" http://www.theequinest.com/donna-bernstein/

August, 2008 The Southampton Press, Arts & Entertainment, Feature
August, 2008 Dan's Papers, Hamptons Style
October, 2006 PHELPSSPORTS.com, Artist Feature, "The Equine Art of Donna Bernstein"
April, 2006 Idaho Statesman, Press Release, "Boise City Arts Commission, Boise Airport Art"
January, 2006 "Boise Weekly, Cover Art
November 2004 "McCall Magazine", Feature Article
August 2004, "Horses in Art" Magazine Feature, "The Beauty of Bronze"
June 2004, Equine Art Guild, "Behind the Easel" Feature Interview
November 2002 Equitana Brisbane Official Program, Australia
Feature "Blue Cloud"
December 2001 "Getting to Know You - Art & Passion" Feature
Article, Long Valley Advocate, Idaho
February 2000 "Idaho Horse Fair", Signature Art



CONTRIBUTIONS and Causes:

Black Card Circle Foundation, California
National Ability Center, Park City, Utah
US Pony Clubs, NY
American West 4D Barrel Racing Series, Blackfoot, Idaho
Boise Art Museum, Boise, ID
Idaho Foodbank, “Artists Against Hunger”, Boise, ID
Arkwild, Inc., Abaco Wild Horse Fund, Bahamas
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, California
McPaws, Animal Welfare Fund, McCall, ID
McCall Community Assn., McCall, ID
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Amaryllis Horse Rescue Fund, Bridgehampton, NY
Just World International, Florida
Windy Hollow Hunt, NY and Florida
Polo Players Support Group, Wellington, FL
Boise Weekly Cover Art Auction, Boise, ID
McCall Arts & Humanities Council, McCall ID
Cody Center for Autism, VOX Art Benefit, Stony Brook NY
Idaho Dressage Festival, Boise ID


Prior Career Details

Board of Director, McCall Arts and Humanities Council, McCall, ID.
Board of Director, Vice President, McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation, McCall, ID.
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, N.Y.S.
Mark Greenberg Real Estate, V.P. Operations, NY.
Account Executive, The Elliott Organization, Pomona, NY.

Projects involved in

My portfolio (7)