Fine Art Web Gallery

Amber Waves

E. Virginia Palen Donovan is a working artist in the Hudson Valley.  She has worked in watercolor, pastel and her current love is oil.  Among her artistic side trips, she has worked in other fields that fascinated her such as jewelry and clay relief etching.  Each of these mediums serve to enhance the other in her study and enjoyment of art.

With a degree in Mathematics and many years of working in the corporate world, Virginia began going to art shows and openings at the Heritage Art Gallery in Red Oaks Mill, NY, owned and operated by Bernie and Eileen Iulo.  The atmosphere was warm and friendly, unthreatening and encouraging.  In an effort to "help", she enrolled in a drawing class followed by a beginning watercolor class.  And from there, her life took a totally new direction!  The community of artists, instructors, and the availability of outstanding instruction and mentorship in the Hudson Valley provided a wonderful environment to learn and grow as an artist.

Virginia's work is currently hanging in private collections from Japan to Germany, and Arizona to Maine. She has studied watercolor with internationally renowned artists such as Robert Wade of Melbourne, Australia, Barbara Nechis of California, Tom Lynch of Illinois, Frank Webb of Pennsylvania, Judi Betts of Louisiana, and Janet Walsh and Mel Stabin of New York State. In addition she has studied oil painting with Mary Anna Goetz and Christie Scheele and has taken workshops from Hongnian Zhang in Woodstock. Her passion for painting allows her to combine her desire to expand her horizons, paint, photograph, travel and meet new people.

Virginia is a co-owner of the RiverWinds Gallery in Beacon, New York. She and her partners have designed a successful multi-faceted art space including paintings, photography, porcelain and pottery, high end woven goods, sculpture, and jewelry.
 

In 2007, Virginia was invited to participate in the Jean-Paul LaPointe International Symposium in Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada, as one of 43 artists in the 4 day event. Over 20,000 people attended .  Artists painted from10am to 10pm while meeting visitors from the four corners of the world.  It was a great honor to be selected as one of only two Americans.

Working with many local artists, Virginia managed the over 20 gallery shows at The Brass Anchor Restaurant on River Point Road in Poughkeepsie. She co-chaired the First and Second Annual got art? Auction for Barrett Art Center in Poughkeepsie. Virginia was also the Treasurer of IBM Art Club.

Currently, Virginia is curating and managing the artspace at Mauro's Restaurant in Ossining, New York.

Virginia has been active in the Bannerman's Castle Trust, a local group organized to promote interest and support of the preservation of Bannerman's Island, currently owned by the State of New York, Taconic Parks Commission. She has participated in and helped coordinate numerous Bannerman's Art Shows and Artists on the Rock painting events and auctions.

Virginia is retired from IBM after more than 35 years of service. She serves as Secretary on the Board of Bannerman's Castle Trust, and has been a member of the East Fishkill Historical Society, Save the Esopus Commission, Mid-Hudson Photography Club; and an associate member of the North East Watercolor Society, IBM Art Club, Woodstock Artists Association, Kent Artist Association and the Barrett Art Center.

The RiverWinds Gallery
172 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508

845-838-2880

Virginia is co-owner of a gallery located on the West End of Beacon's Historic Main Street. RiverWinds features the work of many of the Hudson Valley's finest artisans. The Gallery has a selection of ceramics, pottery, stationary, paintings, photography, jewelry, apparel, and home decor. Traditional fine art and contemporary crafts are presented in RiverWinds' delightful, welcoming space in a restored historic building. Each month there is a new Featured Artist show plus a series of regular artists.

The gallery is open Wednesday - Monday, 12 - 6pm and on Beacon's Second Saturday from 12 pm - 9pm. For further information please call the Gallery at 845-838-2880 or email at evpdonovan@@aol.com or check The RiverWinds  website at www.RiverWindsGallery.com

 (c) E. V. Donovan, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007  All Rights Reserved