About
Donna's Story
I am from the foothills of Western NC. Morganton was a quiet town where as a child I spent a good deal of time playing outside. There wasn't much on the TV then, but plenty of make believe. I shared my adventures with my twin sister, Johna. We both still love animals and the outdoors. Johna never got into photography and hated our piano lessons, but does paint quite well. I continued with the flute and piano joining the Marine Corps Band at the age of 18. Today my passions include nature photography, painting, and music. I am currently enrolled at Colorado Mesa University as a Music Major. These days, I mostly strive to create a sense of beauty, tranquility and mystery in my work. In 2010, we moved to western Colorado where my focus turned primarily to landscape and nature photography. I still love to play the flute and piano, but feel my best inspiration comes from being out-of-doors hiking with Steve and camera. As well as being a vendor for multiple stores in the National Parks, I have been honored to have my work featured or published by the National Geographic Society, The National Park Foundation, The National and International Audubon Society, The National Park Service, and the Dept of the Interior.
Our Story
Steve and I have been together since 1986 when we were both stationed at El Toro Marine Base. 38 years later, we are still together, more balanced in marriage, work and our lives. Honestly, I could not get to all of my photographic locations without my Sherpa, Steve. Thankfully he likes to drive, navigate and sometimes carry gear while I kick up my feet on the dash and read a book or edit photos on the fly as the landscapes whiz by the window.
Artist - Photographer - Musician- Writer
I've been painting and drawing as long as I can remember. I entered the realm of photography over 30 years ago to photograph things I wanted to paint. I focused much of my time and energy learning the art of photography. After 20 years of focusing on photography, I have returned to painting and music finishing my music degree at CMU in 2023.
"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." Thomas Jefferson
Awards
We're going to the 2023 Nationals in St. Louis!
Gold Medal Winner - Dapple Grey Day
National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
Locally - Five 1st place Blue Ribbons, Two second places in the categories of Photography, Art, Stained Glass, Music & Poetry
Veterans Creative Arts Festival 2021 and 2022 Western Slope and the National Creative Arts Festival
Broken Tusk and Widowmaker won firsts in photography with Medusa, a Bronze on Petrified Wood with Turquoise Inlay a first as well. The music portions, flute and piano, firsts withe the alto coming in second. The blues are all headed to the Nationals. The National Creative Arts Festival awarded me two silver medals in music, piano and flute.
Best of the West
Donna was voted best artist by the readers of the Grand Junction Sentinel for 2018.
Handsome Paint
This photo was awarded best photo for August by the National Park Foundation's Share the Experience contest out of 10s of 1000s of photos. Donna and Steve are going on a two night stay in Napa and received a free National Park Pass! Click on the mustang to go to the SharetheExperience website.
NPS Awards Centennial Cover to Donna
Donna was honored to have been awarded the cover of the NPS's Centennial Edition Photobook in 2016. This book contains photos of the 400+ units of the National Park System.