Finding Inspiration: Capturing Ireland's Wild and Beautiful Spirit
Donna McGee is a Dublin born artist. She is self-taught and has worked from her studio for over 20 years. Donna’s work is about capturing the essence of Ireland’s wild and beautiful spirit and unveiling the extraordinary within the ordinary. Through her creative style, she delights in observing the changing light in stormy skies, dramatic sunsets and the restless energy of the ocean. Weather permitting, Donna paints outdoors (en plein air) and loves to visit painting festivals around Ireland including Art in the Open and Dublin Plein Air. It is also an excuse to catch up with old friends and exchange ideas within a vibrant art community.
A Unique Artistic Process: A meeting of nature with emotion.
Working primarily in oil paints, Donna brings depth and energy with her mark making and palette knife techniques. Her process will sometimes blend abstract and surrealism resulting in an ethereal interpretation of a familiar landscape. Whatever the subject matter, her art evokes mood, memory, and stirs the imagination.
She also experiments with other mediums such as encaustics and alcohol inks, giving her work a distinctive otherworldly feel. Each painting is created with sustainable materials, locally sourced wherever possible, and framed in bespoke handmade frames – 100% guaranteed Irish.
Where you will find Donna:
With numerous successful solo exhibitions and active participation in group shows throughout the country and online internationally, Donna’s artwork has gained immense popularity. Notably, she’s had great success at the premier art fair, Art Source. Her paintings have found their way into collections both in Ireland and around the world. The international art community has recognised her talent, resulting in multiple prestigious awards. She was awarded tax exempt status for her work by the Irish State on the basis that her work is of cultural and artistic merit.
She is a member of Visual Arts Ireland
From Finance to Fine Art
An Entrepreneurial Spirit Complimenting a Creative Life
Before embarking on her artist career, Donna spent time in the international financial sector and earned a post-grad qualification from the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School (University College Dublin). Her lifelong love of learning has led her to blend art with technology – studying web design, digital media production, creative entrepreneurship and now a delve into the world of AI and the infinite possibilities it offers.
This fusion of business acumen and creative skill allows her to manage a thriving online art business and share her work with art lovers around the globe. She holds a postgraduate diploma from Trinity College Dublin in Creative Thinking, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, which continues to shape her approach to the ever-evolving world of art & design.
Further reading:
Awards & Recognition by National Body
Honoured by The All-Ireland Business Foundation
Donna achieved the prestigious All-Star Lifestyle Leader Fine Art Accreditation, awarded by The All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF). This independent national accreditation body recognised Donna’s exceptional performance, trustworthiness, and customer-centricity in her art business.
Read more here: blog post
Artist Residencies
A Heart for Education: Nurturing Creativity in Schools
Donna is not only an accomplished artist but also a passionate educator. She has participated in arts-in-education programmes, such as the BLAST Residency Programme, (bringing live art to students and teachers). This aims to nurture creativity and critical thinking among children and young people. Her involvement in the Teacher-Artist Partnership (TAP) CPD further demonstrates her dedication to enhancing arts in education in Irish primary schools.
These initiatives aim to support the integration of the principles and key skills outlined in the Arts in Education Charter and the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022). It supports children and young people for the future, where skills like the ability to connect and collaborate with others, engage in creative and critical thinking and practice inclusivity at every level, paramount to peace, stability, sustainable economic growth and equality.
You can learn more about what drives Donna in her work as an artist by reading her Artist Statement – click the link above.