One of the many things that attracted McDonald to her husband was his creativity and fearlessness to try new things. It was here they discovered their mutual love of art. During one of their travel excursions to Carmel, CA, they came upon a beautiful abstract painting by David Stephens—and it was the first of many of their art collections. “That painting still hangs in my home today and continues to inspire me!” claims McDonald. “It’s one of those pieces that draws you in and holds you, no matter how much time goes by.”
The couple moved to Chandler, AZ in 2004 as a result of a job change and the desire to be closer to family. Every year they would attend the big white tent fine art exhibits in Scottsdale as well as Hidden in the Hills and various local art festivals. After each event the couple would talk about their favorite artists and dream about doing something like that themselves one day! New pieces were added to their growing collections and new ideas got their juices flowing. “Clearly, my desire to paint came from these events,” says McDonald. “So much beauty, so many styles and the opportunity to ask questions of the artists really inspired me.”
McDonald dabbled with many different styles and mediums, including clay, oil, alcohol ink, and pastel. Her favorite has been acrylic paint as that has been the most versatile for her. She took classes from artist mentors, at the local recreation centers, workshops at Art Unraveled in Phoenix, workshops with various artists, classes at the Scottsdale Artists School and of course, online. She has done some realism painting but always comes back to her first love, abstract. “Abstract art has no agenda. It’s all about what might happen next. It’s almost like it’s a metaphor for my life,” McDonald says. “I’m an observer in life. I watch and assess and then determine how I will respond. When I’m painting, I do the same thing. I start out with some basic shapes and then see where the painting wants to go. That’s the exciting part! Every painting is a new possibility!” McDonald is drawn to how images flow and blend together. Some of her work is vibrant in color while others are more muted and soft. Many of her pieces have “S” curves within them, depicting movement and grace. McDonald uses many different tools to achieve her effects (silicon scrapers, palette knives, brushes). “I also love to explore different textures and materials to see how they impact a painting,” McDonald says. “Every painting has it’s own unique energy. It’s not always something tangible; many times it’s an emotional reaction and we’re not even aware of why a piece of art appeals to us—we just know that it does!” “When I paint, I listen to music, the instrumental new-age, soft jazz type. That gets me out of my “left brain.” Once I begin, I just seem to go into the “zone” and lose all track of time,” McDonald explains. “This is truly my happy place where I just get lost in the creative process. I think most artists know exactly what I mean!” When she first began painting, she didn’t think much about “what” she was painting as much as “how” things came together. People ask what she’s trying to convey with her art, but to her, it’s about how she feels and, she states, “Many times there aren’t words that can express that. Ultimately, it’s what the observer sees and feels about a piece that is important,” McDonald says. “I paint for the JOY of painting. I paint because it makes ME happy. When someone is drawn to my work, I’m touched. We have made a connection on some unspoken level. And a part of me will forever be a part of them.”
McDonald is a juried member of the Sonoran Arts League in Cave Creek, AZ. She’s been a part of several artists groups over the years but being a part of this league has really helped her evolve to the next level of her art career. She has participated in numerous exhibitions with the League. She has also displayed and sold her work in many local venues and through social media channels. McDonald’s art can be seen at On The Edge Gallery in downtown Scottsdale, as well as Hidden in the Hills studio art tour in Cave Creek in November. McDonald states, “My mission is to continue to create beautiful art for as long as I am able to do so! Life can get heavy sometimes, and it is through creative expression that I find my inner peace. When my soul is happy, things just seem to come together!”
