Interview
Elizabeth Donathan
Elizabeth’s work reflects a deep love for horses and the desire to be by the water. Each piece evokes a meaningful experience and is an expression of her soul. Growing up near Lake Erie provided the perfect dramatic backdrop for drawing and painting, and the Midwest continues to inspire by providing exceptional colors with the changing seasons. Elizabeth studied abstract art at the Milan Art Institute. She also studied visual arts at Art2Life.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My love for art began in early childhood when I would draw circles and ovals with my father. Those basic shapes quickly developed into portraits and animals, leading to a desire to express myself through drawing and painting. My academic background is diverse. I am an Ohio-based artist that attended Ashtabula Arts Center as a child and more recently, Milan Art Institute for visual arts. I also hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Gannon University and practice as a nurse practitioner. My desire to create art is innate and allows me to destress and connect to my soul.”
What inspires you?
“I am inspired by many things. I gravitate toward things that most people may stray from. I am intrigued by differences and delighted by the moments that make me feel the most ‘me.’ My work reflects a deep love for horses and the desire to be by the water. Just sitting on a beach listening to the waves or being in the presence of horses reminds me of how precious every moment is. Growing up near Lake Erie offered a dramatic backdrop, often showcasing exceptional colors with the changing seasons, and provided artistic inspiration. Each piece evokes a meaningful experience and is an expression of my soul.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Horses and waterscapes are the primary themes in my work and are the things that bring me peace. The underlying message in my work is the importance of connection to the soul. It can be a long road to find or get back to the true self and art is a bridge that connects us.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as a continuous journey back to the soul. To me, each piece is a mental and physical process. I am restless and move around a lot when I paint. I constantly change positions and locations. I enjoy painting on large a canvas to feel a part of it and to make bigger moves. For instance, I like to paint with my hands when painting a horse, petting the mane of the horse as I paint allows me to connect at a different level to the piece. This movement is fluid and bold, sometimes controlled sometimes not, but always mental and physical.”
Which artists influence you most?
“DaVinci, Monet, Manet, Degas, Remington, Picasso. William Rabbit, Val Kilmer, Nicholas Wilton, and many more! My art does not resemble my artistic influences which fascinates me. For instance, the drama of Picasso's work is calming to me but if I paint like him, it makes me feel distorted. That's funny to me.”
“The underlying message in my work is the importance of connection to the soul. It can be a long road to find or get back to the true self and art is a bridge that connects us.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process starts in my head. I can over-analyze sometimes so If I am lacking inspiration, I have learned to just pick a color that I like and put it on the canvas. This gets something started.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist's role is to create and share their creations. Art has the ability to connect, teach, inspire, and heal people. This is amazingly powerful.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“From 2025, Amsterdam Whitney International Fine Art will be representing me. I’ve had numerous exhibitions in 2024 including at: Casa Del Arte / Palma, Spain; Nicoleta Gallery / Berlin, Germany; Gallery Agnes Nord / Art Basel Paris / Paris, France; Cipriate Venezia Gallery / Venice, Italy; Thomas Gallery / Zug, Switzerland.”
Website: www.elizabethdonathan.com
Instagram: @elizabethdonathan
Other links: linktr.ee/elizabethdonathan
