Donna Larocque
Paintings
I have been creating art for as long as I can remember.
My desire to work professionally as an artist lead me to
become a graphic artist and illustrator. In the last 10
years, I have added muralist and sign maker.
I have been developing my skills and techniques for over
25 years and have established great versatility which is
essential to becoming successful in the commercial art
industry. Unlike my paintings, the industry commands a
different kind of creativity – the message or expression
represents the customer. To accomplish this, the work is
done within their specific parameters and is a visual problem
solving that is both exciting and challenging. This gives
me much personal artistic satisfaction.
When I paint for pleasure I have no parameters, thus I feel
that it is necessary to explore my inner creative side. It can
also be challenging when not often allowed that kind of
freedom! Unlike my commercial work, my paintings are quite
often spontaneous and somewhat unplanned. I am influenced
by the simple beauty in the human form, faces, nature and
many objects that surround my daily life. I start out with a
large format, few colours and strive to keep the whole
process simple and uninhibited. The desire to”express” the
subject matter becomes more relevant in the painting than
the subject itself.
I most often choose to use board as my canvas. The
outcome of my paintings is unpredictable, and the final
composition is usually accomplished by cropping the edges.
Therefor the shape of the painting becomes part of the
painting’s expression. Although I use the same medium, I
rarely use the exact same technique more than once or twice,
so that each painting is quite unique.
My work is truly an exploration of freedom.
My first inspiration was the human form and faces. There
was a time when I chose to draw or paint only from those
subjects. I have done hundreds of portraits over the years.
I also made my living as a courtroom sketch artist for a time.
I have diversified but will always be inspired to do portraits of
people and animals and will continue do commissioned
pieces. Shown here are a few of my more recent portraits,
some are of my own family and some are commissions. I
have chosen to take a more “uninhibited” approach to some
of my personal pieces. The likeness may be a little
compromised for the expression or attitude of the subject,
but I find it makes the portrait much more interesting.
I have worked on many murals with other mural artists
and have done many of my own. I’ve included a few that I
feel represent my own inspirations, or that I had much
creative freedom given to me by the customer. My Little Sign
Shop web page will give further details about other mural
work I have done or been involved with.
My desire to work professionally as an artist lead me to
become a graphic artist and illustrator. In the last 10
years, I have added muralist and sign maker.
I have been developing my skills and techniques for over
25 years and have established great versatility which is
essential to becoming successful in the commercial art
industry. Unlike my paintings, the industry commands a
different kind of creativity – the message or expression
represents the customer. To accomplish this, the work is
done within their specific parameters and is a visual problem
solving that is both exciting and challenging. This gives
me much personal artistic satisfaction.
When I paint for pleasure I have no parameters, thus I feel
that it is necessary to explore my inner creative side. It can
also be challenging when not often allowed that kind of
freedom! Unlike my commercial work, my paintings are quite
often spontaneous and somewhat unplanned. I am influenced
by the simple beauty in the human form, faces, nature and
many objects that surround my daily life. I start out with a
large format, few colours and strive to keep the whole
process simple and uninhibited. The desire to”express” the
subject matter becomes more relevant in the painting than
the subject itself.
I most often choose to use board as my canvas. The
outcome of my paintings is unpredictable, and the final
composition is usually accomplished by cropping the edges.
Therefor the shape of the painting becomes part of the
painting’s expression. Although I use the same medium, I
rarely use the exact same technique more than once or twice,
so that each painting is quite unique.
My work is truly an exploration of freedom.
My first inspiration was the human form and faces. There
was a time when I chose to draw or paint only from those
subjects. I have done hundreds of portraits over the years.
I also made my living as a courtroom sketch artist for a time.
I have diversified but will always be inspired to do portraits of
people and animals and will continue do commissioned
pieces. Shown here are a few of my more recent portraits,
some are of my own family and some are commissions. I
have chosen to take a more “uninhibited” approach to some
of my personal pieces. The likeness may be a little
compromised for the expression or attitude of the subject,
but I find it makes the portrait much more interesting.
I have worked on many murals with other mural artists
and have done many of my own. I’ve included a few that I
feel represent my own inspirations, or that I had much
creative freedom given to me by the customer. My Little Sign
Shop web page will give further details about other mural
work I have done or been involved with.
Portraits
Murals