John Donaldson Art

Here is an insight to the man behind the art. He is a self taught professional artist. He is also my father I thought it was right to share his thoughts and beliefs into what makes his work. I have touched on his life as a young boy through to his teenage life and consequently his career that has bought him to where he is today.

John Donaldson grew up in Lewes born in 1945. His family immediately had a creative influence as his grandfather was an artist himself introduced John to the world of being a painter.

From the age of 17 John trained as an organist for several years in Brighton and then Chichester, Sussex although he favoured electro and modern jazz which stayed with him.

From 1965 John followed his career of Landscape and design architecture in the area although his true career change ultimately became a professional artist when he and his wife, Sandi and daughter Anna moved to rural South Devon.

His motivation for painting each day is purely the love for it. He feels blessed to have the gift but his understanding is that his technique is to let go of the control, for example the surface of the board may have impact, not to be too refined or technical. Therefore if his style has to be categorised it would be Impressionism.

His influences come from various artists including Francis Bacon. His biggest influence is actually reflected light. This stemed from France and Italy. Check out his prints – La Cadiere and Belcastel and you will see.

John has had many exhibitions both solo and group in Devon, London and Hampshire between the years 1980 through to this year in Kingsbridge. These amount to approximately twenty exhibitions in all.

John Donaldson now sells a range of his limited edition (each signed and numbered) Giclée Prints printed on the highest quality watercolour paper as well as original paintings usually in oil paint. He wants to reach to new collectors of all ages as well as established ones. The areas he paint in England are Devon, Exmoor, Dartmoor and Somerset. Also London is a favourite. Provence, Tuscany, Midi and the Languedoc feature heavily in his Italy and France collection. He constantly adds new work so keep an eye out for all the regular and latest news on John and his new work so keep an eye out as he constantly comes up with great new prints and paintings at http://www.johndonaldsonart.co.uk/.