Artwork by Donna Stout

To me Art is evidence of the Divine!

I am a 69 year old single mom. I adopted a boy and now I have 2 darling grandsons. I was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from Brigham Young University. I was first made aware of my love of art in the first grade. My painting of a duck behind a chicken wire fence got a lot of attention. People told me I was an artist.

During my early years I tried any kind of art instruction or medium I could. My parents tried to support my interest by giving me art supplies for Christmas. Art supplies were too expensive for me but I tried anything I could (yes I have painted on velvet) I am a shy person and have been my worst critique, but even so managed to win some awards for my art. I was given the opportunity to go to Europe after winning a competition.

Through out the years I have had a hard time getting good art instruction. It’s not that my teachers weren’t talented, it’s just that they could’t teach. After all these years I just found out I was holding my pencil wrong to sketch. I learned that from Drawing Academy. I love all kinds of art and mediums, but right now I am enjoying water color. I want to learn more about portraits and figure drawing. I want to capture a persons essence, inner soul and make them look like themselves. I want to make people happy.

When I read what the Drawing Academy has to offer, I couldn’t believe it. When I heard there was a way to draw without using photos and drawing what you know, I was ecstatic. I can see the excellence in those who are students. I want to learn to create excellent work. I would like to participate in this course but I am semi retired and on social security. I hope people like my work and will vote for me to win a spot to help me out.

Art is my happy place!