Original Art Piece

Trees and fungi have both captured my imagination.
Without them we would not survive on the earth. While trees provide the oxygen we need, fungi along with bacteria break down organic matter and release carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus into the soil and the
atmosphere. It’s the importance of fungi and the variety of shapes, colours and their habitat that attract me to them. I’ve been photographing fungi and mushrooms for over 40 years but it’s only in the last couple of years they’ve found their way into my paintings. This is the seventh painting in a new series, All About Fungi.

Wendie Donabie Biography

Mediums:
Majority of work completed in acrylic and mixed media on canvas. Also works in oil on canvas and Chinese ink on paper.

Key themes: the beauty of nature focussed on landscape, (some wildlife) with the hope of increasing appreciation for the beauty of the Earth we are losing lost through human action.

Training:
• Training and mentoring for 9 years from Pat Fairhead, M.A., M.ED., R.C.A., O.S.A., C.S.P.W.C.
• Courses through Haliburton School of the Arts, Huntsville, Ontario - Instructors: Andrea Mossop & Steve Rose
• Workshops with John David Anderson and Sheila Davis

Collections & Commissions:
Works in private collections in Canada, private commissions as well as commissions from Muskoka Libraries, Muskoka Authors Association and Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce

Awards:
2014 YWCA Woman of Distinction for Arts, Culture & Creativity

Publications:
2016 - This Little Rock We Call Earth, containing a collection of paintings and text written by Wendie Donabie
2020 – Images of two paintings were published in Showcase Magazine, Australia
2024 –Views from the Edge of the Earth, collection of poetry and images of paintings.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Throughout my life, I’ve pursued many forms of creative expression, from studying piano with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto and trying out various artistic crafts as a child, to drawing and painting as an adult. I’ve also published articles and poetry in magazines and collections and have published an anthology of poems and short prose inspired by my paintings.
Born and raised in the Bata Shoe company town of Batawa, located on the Trent River in Ontario, my love of nature grew from the rural area and the hills of deciduous forests surrounding the small village.
At my easel, my deep concern for our planet informs my paintings. The sight of a windblown Jack Pine, the twisted weave of tree roots in the forest, wildlife in their natural habitat, a brilliant sunset or sunrise over a placid lake, a cascade of rushing water over giant boulders; these are a few of the emotional triggers that inspire my work as an artist.
My phone or a camera are always with me. I never know when something will grab my attention and say, “Paint me!”, to share the story of my experiences in the world. I hope my work helps foster a greater appreciation for the natural world and an understanding of the interdependence of all life. To that end a portion of all my painting sales goes directly to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to support their rehabilitation work in Muskoka.
Working primarily in acrylic and oil, my paintings often incorporate various mediums and objects to create textural interest and a little bit of magic.
In part self-taught, I also completed courses at Haliburton School of the Art and received training with renowned Canadian artist, Pat Fairhead, M.A., M.ED., R.C.A., O.S.A., C.S.P.W.C.
I’ve exhibited throughout Muskoka, Midland, Barrie, and Toronto. My paintings are in private collections in Canada, United States and Great Britain. I’ve completed private commissions, as well as those for Muskoka Libraries, Muskoka Authors Association and Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce.
In 2014, I received the Muskoka YWCA Woman of Distinction award for Art, Culture and Creativity. Four years later, I opened Heron’s Nest Studio Gallery where I display my work along with that of other local artists.