Donna Guy is best known for her unique design and creative techniques. Donna is a progressive figure in the art world and innovative in including different textures in her watercolors, glass and porcelain art. Donna enjoys incorporating lusters, modeling paste, jewels, glass beads, figerglass and china spray along with traditional china painting when creating unique pieces. Donna is one of the foremost artists of today; and art of all forms are her main interest and driving force.
Today, Donna is busy most of the year doing what she loves best, teaching and producing the art that has become such an integral part of her life. Her work has taken her throughout the United States and even given her the opportunities to extend her artist experience to Europe, Asia and South America.
Donna has always wanted to create art. After raising her two children, Donna had extra time to spare. She began taking classes from area artists; and it was then she discovered her talent. In 1972, Donna started painting in oils and then tried watercolors four years later. She began by painting scenes of buildings. She would see a particular farm building surrounded by Iowa countryside and delve into the process of trying to capture the essence of the scene onto canvas. After just two years of instruction, Donna began to paint portraits, still life, florals and farm scenes.
At that time, she was asked by the Brighton Chamber of Commerce to paint an old time mill and historic hotel in Brighton, where the community leaders understood they had a talented artist in their midst. Her first paying customer consisted of farmers who wished to have their homestead painted. Many area farmers and townspeople would go to exhibits where her work was displayed and recognize familiar features that motivated them to take her artwork home.
In 1981, she evolved her love of art in to another form, china painting. This process involves using techniques like those involved in watercolors to painting "porcelain blanks". Several of her pieces have been chosen to be exhibited in the World Organization of China Painters (WOCP) Museum in Oklahoma City, OK and are part of the permanent collection. Her china painting distinguishes her both as an artist and as an instructor, and that distinction has made Donna well known for her innovative designs.
After taking seminars and workshops from many well-known artists in a variety of mediums and winning many awards. She has become a teacher herself and holds classes and seminars all over the world. She displays and sells her work at festivals, art fairs, and her work is featured in several galleries around the country.
Donna has a complete command of color and uses it along with her original designs, which makes her work valued by art enthusiasts.
Donna has been the recipient of countless awards. Donna has received a gold ribbon on her unique "China Sculpture" at the 1998 International Porcelain Artists and Teachers (IPAT) competition in Richmond, VA. Only 9 gold ribbons were given at the competition and 2 came from the United States. Donna's being one of them.
Donna invites anyone to contact her for information on workshops and seminars, or to visit her home studio in Brighton, Iowa. She has many examples of her watercolors and porcelain art. She also has a booklet available with many techniques available describing procedures for her innovative techniques.