Growing up in a large family, my life was always lively. As the second oldest of six kids, I learned to participate in the household chores, cooking and childcare. The house was busy but fun. Creativity was at the heart of it. There was always dancing, music playing on the hi-fi, and my mom cooking delicious dinners. My father loved to draw and would often corral me and my siblings to teach us about art. I cherished this time and believe it was these moments that nurtured my passion for art.
“Life has led me in many different directions, but my artistic journey has been steadfast.”
— Donna Baldassari
Solitude was also important to me. I sought quiet time in our expansive backyard in Beverly, Massachusetts. Thick with trees, our property was always shaded with an umbrella of different leaves. An aged stonewall bordered the property and led to two fresh water ponds—two of them! I often walked atop the rocky wall and settled myself in the cool shade of a small clump of trees. Sketchbook in hand, I would sit and draw bits and pieces of nature as I savored the heady fragrances of the surrounding woodland. This serene environment became my artist’s playground. It inspired my love of trees and the outdoors.
My mother lovingly referred to me as “Nature Girl.” As a young adult, I had the good fortune of getting accepted into a newly established art school in my hometown. Montserrat College of Art was founded in 1970 by a group of New England artists, most of them from the Cape Ann area. Their primary goal was to maximize the professional and personal success of each student through individualized attention. It was a wonderful opportunity and a unique experience. It was during this time that I most learned and grew as an artist. It’s also when I developed my passion for oils. I had an intuitive ability to paint and draw. My talents were respected and carefully nurtured by the creative faculty. I had an uncanny sense of color and was given the label of “colorist” among my fellow artists. I received all that was promised: daily support, self-confidence and encouragement to pursue my love of painting.
These days, I work as a professional fine art painter. My art is represented in several galleries in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and California. My work hangs in homes and businesses across the country. I participate in group and solo shows as the opportunities arise. Several years ago, I began teaching creative art classes to assisted-living residents on Boston’s North Shore. This has become a source of fun and inspiration for me, as I pass on the many lessons and techniques I learned in art school. My students are eager to learn and are filled with pride as I take them on a step-by-step journey to creating their own masterpieces.
Yet another regular source of inspiration are my daily walks. They kindle my soul. Just as I did as a child, I now seek the quiet of nature via a walk along the sandy shoreline of a beach or a shady path in the woods. I walk alone to allow myself to see the extraordinary in life’s simple images—a wave, a cloud, a tree and of course the casting of light. Often times I end a walk by returning to my studio to express all that I’ve seen.
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.”
— John Burroughs
P.S. I Love This!
Nestled on a shelf in my studio is a miniature painting of a hydrangea blossom I created several years ago. This tiny piece challenged me to keep things simple, find my focus and interpret my inspiration through color. It’s a daily reminder to always seek life’s simple pleasures.
