Talented Painter
October 5th, 2015 - Pickering, ON
Talented ‘Painter’ reconnects with her first love
Stouffville Sun-Tribune
By Jim Thomas
When Donna Wright married Carl Painter, an artistic career was established.
People who read significance into surnames would, we suggest, come to this conclusion. But the occurrence was by no means automatic. In fact, it was many years after the two had tied the knot that Donna responded to her creative calling. Today, she’s recognized as one of the finest artists in Durham Region.
Donna, one of five in the family of Donald and Joyce Wright, was born at Stouffville’s Brierbush Hospital 64 years ago. She has two brothers, Daryl of Stouffville and Robert in Aurora, and two sisters, Linda of Fenelon Falls and Sharon in Oshawa.
Donna and husband Carl, now residents of Claremont, have one daughter, Dianne Cupples of Uxbridge and one son, Jim Painter of Glen Major.
It was Summitview Public School where Donna received her elementary education and it was here that then principal Lorne Boadway, himself an outstanding musician, recognized his student’s vocal talent. Through his encouragement, she became a regular member of Stouffville’s United Church choir. She also provided solo selections at other town venues.
It was while a student attending Stouffville District Secondary School that her hopes and dreams turned to art. Not paint brush art but interior design.
However, the school guidance counsellor of that day threw cold water on whatever inclinations she may have had saying “there’s no place for such a profession.” Apparently, interior design work was not a high priority back then, Donna recalls, even though its influence was enormously visible in burgeoning home construction.
“There were and still are many wonderful artists out there,” she says. And, yes, some of them are starving, she admits.
Following marriage, she let her art aspirations lie low for a while, concentrating instead on activities within the Claremont Lions Club including bulletin editor and T-ball coach. She also advanced through club ranks to the position of vice-president. Husband Carl is a past-president.
When time permitted, Donna turned her hand to landscaping, the results of which are flower gardens second to none in the village.
However, a love of art that had continued to flicker, burst into flame three years ago.
“I needed to paint,” she says. “I’ve since turned part of our house into a studio.”
She credits Balsam’s Martha Gill with re-igniting the spark. “I completed one small painting then went on from there.” The result is an outstanding ‘Rock Waterfall’ that was accepted into the 2014 Juried Art Show hosted by the Pine Ridge Art Council and the Town of Ajax.broihier“It was an honour,” she says, “I was blown off the wall.” She’s now a member of the Pine Ridge Art Council and the Uxbridge Art Association. She plans to place entries in Uxbridge’s upcoming Art in the Park and fall fair. She’ll also have a home display in Claremont’s Community Sale, June 13.
Donna admits she’s critical of her work, even to a point of throwing some pieces out. The time factor for a single painting can range from a few hours to several days, she says. Initially, she painted from photos, but now conjures up her own ideas.
While art is and always will be her passion, Donna recently embarked on an alternative activity that occupies what little spare time she has left. She collects and refurbishes antiques.
Another part of her home is filled with beautiful furnishings, some extremely rare. All they require are a pair of helping hands to complete refurbishings that are sure to attract the eyes of potential buyers. Original dark brown finishes are no longer popular with the younger generation, Donna says. For this reason she leans towards bright colours.
This new branch of her business is called Donna’s Corner Cottage Creations. Her first love, however, remains Donna Painter’s Paintings.
“Art’s in the eye of the beholder,” she asserts, “all one must do is look around and see what the good Lord has provided.”
Jim Thomas is a Stouffville resident who has written for area newspapers for more than 60 years.