Andrew Donnan is a self-taught artist who has been painting in oils and acrylic for over 25 years. He has been a member of the Artist Collective Spartanburg for the last 8 years. His work is inspired by the Impressionist tradition, particularly its focus on light, color, and the ability to capture a sense of place and moment.
Water is a recurring theme, as well as travel destinations throughout much of his work. Whether painting rivers, lakes, seaside vistas or reflections on a quiet surface, Donnan is drawn to the ever-shifting characteristics of water. These qualities provide a source of inspiration, allowing him to explore color, light and texture in his paintings.
Over the years, Donnan has exhibited in four shows and has been accepted into two Juried competitions. While largely self-taught he has explored paint with acrylics in undergraduate school and has had 6 months of figure drawing instruction with Bryan Hanes. Now retired, he is continuing to hone his skills through practice, observation and continued passion for painting.
Through his work, Donnan aims to share the beauty and atmosphere he finds in the natural world, inviting viewers to pause and connect with the world around them.
Spending time in nature and different parts of the world has a meaningful impact on me because it encourages me to focus on the emotion, effects of light, color and sense of being in a beautiful place. I use expressive brushstroke, usually heavily applied, and vibrant color to communicate the mood I experienced outdoors. The studio environment gives me the freedom to experiment, make creative decisions and develop my own personal interpretations of destination and landscape. As a result, painting from my experiences in nature strengthens both my artistic skills and my appreciation for the beauty of the natural world
