|
|
 |
| STATEMENT |
|
|
Watching horses has always been as satisfying to me as drawing them. Their musculature and shape, what maintains balance for them as they move, whether slowly grazing across a field or spontaneously bucking on a spring morning. I think I digitize images in my brain somehow, and later I pull out the drawing pads and start to work.
Much of this work is minimal, in the form of energetic impressions, in living color.
Often monochromatic; suggestive or interpretive, I am profoundly, energetically connected to horses: my muse, my artistic language. Images distilled from my visual memory are imbued with my own distinct blend of form and abstract stylization. I use vibrant colors and dynamic shapes to tell my story.
In clay and sculpture the three-dimensional palette is a natural one for me; I feel I express a clarity not only through the complex equine anatomy, but about their highly sophisticated, emotive elements as well.
I try to refrain from being labeled an "equestrian" artist, however, because my art of expressing this equine form has always been more urbane, more dynamic, formless and full of the vivid colors and stylistic abstractions of modern art.
This has led me to experiment in the completely abstract realm, often large scale, as a personal journey into pure expressionist color and form. Horizontal and vertical horizons; the sublime movement inherent in color; and the endless landscape that largely becomes self-portraiture.
|
|
|
| BIOGRAPHY |
|
|
Donna Bernstein is a native New Yorker and natural artist. When in high school, she held her first one-woman show in the lobby of a local theatre. She arranged it with the manager directly, hung the art, and sold three pieces. Her lust for art was born.
She studied privately during the summers with artist Robert Dash in the art colony town of Nyack, New York; expanded her art studio and art history studies in college, worked in advertising, graphics and real estate, always continuing to draw and paint from life and her surroundings.
This was supplemented with studies in Japanese ink work and brush techniques.
After moving out west in 1998, she ramped up her art career and began marketing throughout the country, expanding her style and techniques, including working in clay and sculpture just eight years ago.
After many years of studying the equine form, working in clay was second nature to her; a piece she designed for the National Ability Center of Park City, Utah is in its permanent collection, and another piece has been chosen to grace the desk of the governor of the great state of Idaho.
Today she is drawn to abstract and contemporary expressions, her own style combining brilliant, vivid colors, dynamic forms, suggestive gestures and timeless subjects. Whether using a combination of brushes, breyers, plaster knives or her own two hands, her style is unique, creative and modern.
"MOST RECENTLY, DONNA HAS BEEN HONORED WITH THE PLACEMENT OF HER CONTEMPORARY EQUINE SCULPTURE, "GOSLING", IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AT THE STATEHOUSE IN BOISE, IDAHO. The piece sits handsomely on the Governor's desk." |
|
|
| EDUCATION |
|
|
Color is an expansive communicator; shape gives it form and purpose, creating a shared language of subtlety, suggestive gestures, textured simplicity, color both subdued and bold. Articulating my own visual passion this way gives me a great sense of connectedness between the viewer and myself.
As for the equine experience - I have watched and drawn horses for as long as I can remember; watching being the essential element. Their form has always been enticing to me, but I have an abstract expressionist soul. I am often told that my horses are somewhere between heaven and earth; not necessarily of this world; and that they "radiate aliveness."
Born of this rich visual memory, my images blend a splendid form with both abstract and figurative stylization. In my work I feel I pull upon a deep energetic simplicity, and the natural, accurate action of the horse. Through vibrant colors and dynamic forms, these horses communicate freedom, movement, energy and passion.
At times the poise of a japanese ink brush takes over me; the purity of asian lines and landscapes - inspired by oriental equines - and fragile calligraphy brush styles emerge. Art that combines a sense of the asian flow and the natural world, and yet often have the feel and texture of fine fabrics.
A native New Yorker, I now live in McCall, Idaho with my husband, Lex, a national level soccer coach, and my three aussie-dog family. There I find no end to the source of inspiration for my art, and embrace the freedom of movement and unfettered abandon of my favorite subjects.
|
|
|
| REPRESENTATION |
|
|
NOTE::
Become a Fan of my work on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DonnaBernsteinFineArt
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DonnaB_Art
Thank you so much! |
|
|
| SOLO EXHIBITS |
|
|
SELECTED RECENT EXHIBITS/ GROUP AND SOLO
Woodriver Cellars, Eagle, ID
"FERRARIS AND FIRED-UP HORSES", Annona Restaurant and Manhattan Motorcar, Westhampton Beach, NY, July 4 - August 31, 2008
"HORSES IN ART", Lynda Anderson Gallery, Locust Valley, N.Y. May, 2008
The HAMPTON CLASSIC, Bridgehampton, New York
ArtiZen Gallery, McCall, Idaho
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR COLLECTION, Statehouse, Boise, Idaho
Casa Chic, Southampton, New York
BOISE INTERNTIONAL AIRPORT, sponsored by the Boise City Arts Commission
TAMARACK RESORT FINE ARTS, Tamarack, Idaho
U.S. Bank, McCall, Idaho
Moscocw Arts Commission, Idaho
Garden City Hotel, BELMONT CELEBRATION, Garden City, New York
DERBY DAYS, Gallery 20 North, Toledo, Ohio |
|
|
| GROUP EXHIBITS |
|
|
GROUP EXHIBITS/REPRESENTATION
Upcoming: Celebration of Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ
Jan 2010-Mar 2010
National Ability Center, "Starry Night Gala", Park City, Utah
"Hampton Classic", Bridgehampton, NY August 24- August 31, 2008
"HORSES IN ART", Lynda Anderson Gallery, Locust Valley, New York. May, 2008
The Hampton Classic, Bridgehampton, New York
ArtiZen Gallery, McCall, Idaho
The Art of Framing Gallery, Boise, ID
KREISS Collection, Manhasset, N.Y.
Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT.
Casa Chic, Southampton, N.Y.
Artizen Gallery, McCall, ID.
20 North Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
Rustica, Fine Art & Design, Donnelly, ID.
Nelson & Greene, Scottsdale, AZ.
Owl 57 Gallery, Woodmere, N.Y.
The Narrow Space Gallery, Tipperary, Ireland
J. Whitney Gallery, Southington, CT.
Equine Art Guild, Saskatchewan, Canada
Saatchi Online Gallery, London UK
ArtVitae.com, International Gallery Online, Tipperary, Ireland
Society of Equestrian Artists,UK, Gallery Collection, EquestrianArtists.co.uk
Northern Exposures Gallery, McCall, ID.
Out A Idaho Fine Art, McCall, ID.
|
|
|
| ARTICLES |
|
|
August 2009 "Interview with the Artist", on www.theequinest.com
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
|
|
|
| OTHER INFO |
|
|
Contributions
As an artist, I appreciate the opportunity afforded to me to use my craft as a source of funding and gift-giving to organizations and programs about which I feel passionate. Here is a partial list of such entities I have been happy to support:
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
Additional Details:
ARTIST Donna Bernstein
STATEMENT I create expressive contemporary art in many mediums: vibrant inks and oils; layered acrylics, bronze sculptures. The blended shapes and colors of nature are for me a seduction. Color is an expansive communicator; shape gives it form and purpose; my work becomes a language of both suggestive gestures and enhanced energetic simplicity, whether a tidal landscape or an exquisite horse. Horizontal and vertical horizons; the sublime movement inherent in color; and the endless landscape that becomes largely self-portraiture. Sharing my visual passion this way gives me a deep sense of connectedness.
STYLE
* Two-dimensional, both figurative and abstract.
* Large-scale, mixed media. Custom wall panels; commission pieces for residence, corporate and hospitality locations.
* Three-dimensional sculptures, lost wax cast bronze.
TECHNIQUE
Blended mixtures of watercolor, acrylic inks and gouache are layered to create an enhanced sense of depth, as well as expose the unique and spontaneous colors that are revealed in the process. Highlighted pigments become the exclamation points in my visual sentences. Oils reflect a softly gestured position with regards to the uses of brushes, preferably sable, or Japanese mixtures. Working in oils is a passion, and the sensitivity of this medium allows for endless complexity and elegance.
In clay and sculpture, my style reflects the natural and accurate action of the horse, and a deep familiarity with it. The three-dimensional palette is a natural for one so clear about the anatomy and sophisticated, emotive elements of the horse.
BACKGROUND
Originally from New York, and after a successful career in real estate, I pursued my art upon moving to the west through individual study and a museum sculpture program. I keep a studio in McCall, Idaho, where I live with her husband, a national level soccer coach, and our three aussie dogs. My most inspirational artists have been Picasso, Degas, O'Keefe, Rothko, Kiski; and in the horse world, Franz Marc, Paul Brown, Rosa Bonheur. As an artist, I embrace the freedom of movement and unfettered abandon of my love of nature, as well as my own organic need to express through form, style, and vibrant color.
REPRESENTATION
Galerie Bel Age, Westhampton Beach, NY
Lynda Anderson Galleries, Locust Valley, NY
Accetra Arts, Dix Hills, NY
Artisan Gallery, Eagle, ID
J. Whitney Gallery, Southington, CT
Owl 57 Gallery, Woodmere, NY
Nelson & Greene, Scottsdale, AZ
ArtiZen Gallery, McCall, ID
Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
RECENT EXHIBITS:
Office of the Governor, Boise, ID.
Tamarack Resort, ID.
The Hampton Classic, Bridgehampton, NY
The ArtiZen Gallery, McCall, ID
Moscow Arts Commission, Moscow, ID
Art of Framing Gallery, Boise, ID
Garden City Hotel, Garden City, NY
Boise International Airport, Boise City Arts
Commission, Boise, ID
PRICING Upon Request.
Galleries, Collections, also available upon request.
Original paintings, Limited Edition giclee prints, Limited Edition bronze sculptures.
www.RunningWindArt.com
www.absolutearts.com/donnabernstein
|
|
|
| SCHOOL INFO |
|
|
|
|
|
