About Us

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Donna Fullerton is a U.S. Marine veteran, multidisciplinary artist, musician, and photographer whose work is deeply rooted in the landscapes and spirit of the American West. Through photography, painting, and visual art, she explores the enduring relationship between land, history, memory, and freedom.

Born in the foothills of western North Carolina, Donna’s earliest creative influences came from long days outdoors with her twin sister, Johna, wandering the woods, observing animals, and imagining stories beyond the quiet town of Morganton. Years living abroad in Okinawa, Japan, and Santos, Brazil shaped her sense of color, movement, and sound, which continue to echo through her work. The energy of Brazilian samba and global art traditions remains a subtle influence throughout her visual practice.

At eighteen, Donna joined the United States Marine Corps as a member of the USMC Band, continuing a lifelong relationship between music and visual expression. She went on to study music formally, completing degrees at Seminole State College and Colorado Mesa University, and continues to perform regularly with local ensembles in western Colorado.

Donna turned seriously to photography more than thirty years ago to capture subjects she wished to paint. After relocating to western Colorado in 2010, the vast landscapes of canyon country, mountains, and desert became central to her work. She often returns to the same locations, allowing time, weather, and quiet presence to shape each image.

Her work has received national recognition, including awards from the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, and has been featured by organizations such as the National Geographic Society, the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation, the Audubon Society, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. She is also a vendor for multiple stores within the National Park system.

Today, Donna balances photography, painting, and music. Whether hiking remote trails with her camera, working at an easel, or performing with her flute, her work seeks a sense of beauty, tranquility, and quiet mystery drawn from the natural world.

She lives and works in Grand Junction, Colorado, with her husband Steve — her steadfast supporter, trail guide, and trusted art critic.

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

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. 

 Donna was voted best artist by the readers of the Grand Junction Sentinel for 2018.  

 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.

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.