Donna Shortt is a life-long Indiana resident and skilled in the use of oils and pastels. She enjoys painting landscapes from life with other painters. She also enjoys painting from light-filled still life sets in her studio or with another group that meets weekly. Painting with others or teaching has its benefits both ways. Sometimes the student becomes the teacher and we learn from each other.
Recent accomplishments include a Purchase Award from the Indiana State Museum in 2008 and a Best of Show in the fine arts professional division at the Indiana State Fair in 2007. In 2011 she received a Best of Show in the Greenfield Will Vawter Show and in the Madison Art Club Member Show. She was also honored to be part of a pastel exhibit at the Richmond Indiana Art Museum in 2008 and held a solo exhibit at the Johnson County Museum of History, Franklin Indiana, in 2011. Several of her plein air paintings are included in the 2013 book “Painting Indiana III: Dignity of Place”.
She has held workshops in the pastel medium as well as weekly classes that teach adult students various ways to paint and draw with pastels, the surfaces and materials used as well as composition, color and under painting techniques.
She is a member of the Hoosier Salon, Indiana Artists Club, Brown County Art Guild, Chicago Pastel Painters, Pastel Society of America, Southside Art League, Indiana Artisan and Indiana Plein Air Painters.
Galleries: Brown County Art Guild - 48 South Van Buren – Nashville, Indiana
Hoosier Salon – 714 East 65th Street – Indianapolis, Indiana
Artists Statement:
My Inspiration to paint starts with the light at early morning or late afternoon and I would be content to spend most of my time capturing it. Color is just as important which is why pastels are my favorite medium. I consider each painting not a destination but a journey, always looking forward to working on the next blank surface.
