Donna Finley

Art has been in my DNA since I was a small child; however, it wasn’t until I retired from the workforce in 2009 that I pursued formal art training through regional classes, and workshops with award-winning nationally recognized pastel artists. I have lived in several states and now reside on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Each location has fueled my fascination with and desire to capture the beautiful colors, shapes, shadows, and reflections in nature.

Pastel is my sole medium. The immediacy, vibrancy and luminosity of soft pastels fulfill my instinctive need to permanently capture moments in time to emphasize their beauty. I create still life and landscape painting that are an uplifting and soothing counterpoint to the conflict, drama-filled and sometimes chaotic world in which we live. Recurring themes include Eastern Shore, Oregon, water and sunsets. My Eastern Shore landscape work especially captures the hidden waters that abound here that few residents and visitors get a chance to view.

I have been juried into International, National and Regional exhibitions by internationally recognized award-winning artists regularly, beginning in 2012 through the present day. Most recently, I have been juried into the 2025 Local Color Exhibition to be held in conjunction with Plein Air Easton. In 2024, two of my paintings were juried into the Pastel Guild of Europe’s 4th Open Online International Pastel Competition and one of those paintings received an award of excellence. In 2022, I had a Solo Exhibition entitled “Hidden Waters” at the Rehoboth Art League in Rehoboth Beach Delaware. I regularly exhibit in galleries and venues on the DelMarVa Peninsula. I am a member of the International Association of Pastel Societies, the Pastel Society of America; a Signature Member of the Maryland Pastel Society; past President and member of the St. Michael’s Art League; and hold memberships in the following art organizations–Academy Art Museum; Art League of Ocean City, Working Artists Forum, and the Plein Air Painters of the Chesapeake Bay. My paintings are in private collections locally, regionally, and across the country.

Email: donnafinley@donnafinleyfineart.com

Website: https://www.donnafinleyfineart.com

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