Donna Thomas Truly Inspired - Fall 2007 Issue of Horses in Art Magazine

Donna Thomas : Truly Inspired

by Sarah H. Crampton

Setting Up the Jump – Oil, 40 x 30, by Donna Thomas.
Atlanta artist Donna Thomas has been immersed in the fine art world for thirty-five years as an oil painter, and she has been owner and curator of a fine art gallery in Atlanta, Georgia, in the past ten years. Currently Thomas is owner of The Art School in Sandy Springs, a suburb city in northwest Atlanta, where she teaches beginning to intermediate oil painting classes.

Thomas’ interest in horses is life long, and the first horse she purchased was for her daughters when they became serious about the sport. She has since purchased two more and her mare has had two foals. Recently, she began painting the horses she loves so much. Owning and loving four horses is the true inspiration behind her equestrian works. It was a student of hers who encouraged her to paint horse scenes for an art show that her school was sponsoring last year. Soon after, she submitted these works to a fine gift shop in Atlanta that is equestrian based and found a niche – one she loved. She paints equestrian scenes for the shop and also accepts commissions for oil portraits.

Thomas comments, “I find these animals majestic – their spirit, the way they run, the way they hold their ears – they are so beautiful. To capture on canvas their true spirit and the light in their eyes is a wonderful feeling. You can just see and feel what arouses them!” Thomas is adept at various mediums including oil, acrylics, mixed media, resins, encaustic (wax) and photography. Her equine subjects have included hunters, jumpers, dressage horses, and fox hunting scenes.

Visit her web sites, www.donnathomasfineart.com and www.theartschoolinsandysprings.com.

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