Artist Donna Stevens creates pastel paintings that invite the viewer to reconnect with nature. View more of her portfolio by visiting her website.
“Aglow in Autumn II” soft (dry) pastel, 6” x 8”
My artwork depicts natural scenes, including trees that seem to have faces or gestures that suggest human or animal presence.
“Solstice” soft (dry) pastel, 12” x 9”
I have always loved wilderness areas and spend a lot of time outdoors. As a child, I constantly drew trees, birds, and landscapes. In college, I took art classes as a refreshing counterbalance to my studies in science and math.
“The Watchers” soft (dry) pastel, 9” x 12”
Later, a career in healthcare and raising a child took priority, but I eventually returned to drawing as a way to relax after work.
” Winter is Coming” soft (dry) pastel, 12” x 18”
Beginning with charcoal, I soon began trying to work in color. After struggling with watercolors, I discovered pastels, which quickly became my primary medium. Their tactile quality reminds me of charcoal, and their dry application works well on textured papers. Made from pure pigment and a dry binder, pastels are water-soluble and allow for detailed as well as expressive mark-making.
“Promenade” soft (dry) pastel, 12” x 9”
The scenes that inspire me usually come from wilderness settings or places with a sense of openness. While hiking, I often encounter trees that seem to reveal faces or gestures depending on the light and viewing angle. When something catches my attention, I stop, move around, and study it closely. If time allows, I sketch on site and later develop the work in the studio using both sketches and photographs.
“Contemplation” soft (dry) pastel, 18” x 12”
Most of my paintings are created in my home studio, with only a few completed entirely on location. Because pastels produce dust, I work with the paper mounted vertically on the wall with a tray below the painting.
“Mackey’s Bench” soft (dry) pastel, 9” x 12”
I typically use artist-grade sanded paper mounted to mat board or foam core, beginning each piece by toning the surface with pastel, which is either rubbed in dry or wet in with gamsol.
“Palouse-01” Soft (dry) pastel, 12” x 24”
I frame my finished works with quality wood moulding and museum glass. When displayed, they function like windows into the landscapes that inspired them.
“Palouse-03” soft (dry) pastel, 12” x 16”
Viewers often say the paintings remind them of places they have visited or invite them to step into the scene. Some even tell me they see trees differently after viewing my work.
Donna Stevens invites you to follow on Facebook and Instagram.