CAROLINE DONATI

I’m a representational oil painter born in Montreal, Quebec in 1965 but raised around the world. As a result, my life has been quite colourful and this has extended into my art (and my cooking). I have always been fascinated by the sights and sounds of my natural environment, especially the effects of sunlight and the constantly changing colours. I now use oils to express the glow and energy that I feel radiating through nature and flowing right back to us. In today’s high-tech world, I believe that enjoying nature’s beauty is essential and even therapeutic (even if it’s only for a few minutes a day)!
My process consists of constructing a painting through layers. Sometimes I let these layers dry before continuing. Other times, I work wet-on-wet. I begin by establishing my composition and values with a tonal underpainting and I then build up the painting by adding layers of colour... wiping out and ‘drawing’ with my brush as I go along. As the painting progresses and begins to reveal its personality, looser and brighter brushstrokes are applied to convey the energy and emotion behind the painting.
My preferred mediums are oils and soft pastels while my subjects include landscapes, nature studies and still lifes. I have been influenced by many artists but I’m especially drawn to those that use bold colours... artists like Odilon Redon, Vincent Van Gogh, Félix Vallotton and Lawren Harris... amongst others.
I have a Collegial Diploma in Fine Arts and a BA in Communications. I’m a mostly self-taught artist who began painting in 2011 and in 2017 decided to leave my corporate job to devote myself to painting full-time. The entire oil painting process gives me so much pleasure --- establishing the composition and colour, using painterly brushstrokes and finally watching the painting come alive.