DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

 

 

Donna Kenny Kirwan, of Rumford, R.I, has been painting in watercolor, acrylics and oils for over 30 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rhode Island, where she combined duel interests in writing and art by pursuing a double major in journalism and English literature with a minor in fine arts. A writer by profession, she pursues her passion for painting, usually watercolor, as often as she can.

 

Donna has also studied painting and drawing in numerous classes and workshops offered at the Providence Art Club, Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Wickford Art Association and the Community College of Rhode Island. Additionally, she has received instruction from several noted New England watercolor artists, including B.L Greene, Al Albrektson, Nancy Azano and Kurt Van Dexter.

 

For most of her art career, Donna has focused on watercolor. She enjoys painting on the smooth surface of hot press watercolor paper or Strathmore illustration board because of the way the paint blooms and absorbs and how it can also be “lifted” and manipulated. Her subjects range from those found in nature to landscapes and street scenes in her native Rhode Island and other places that she travels.

 

Donna has won several painting awards from the Providence Art Club, Wickford Art Association and Rhode Island Watercolor Society. Her watercolor of the Block Island ferry heading into Galilee, called “Leave Your Troubles Behind,” won Best in Show in the Governor’s 2009 “Scenes of Rhode Island” Exhibition and was reproduced on 100 limited edition prints and on the cover of the 2010 state budget. In 2006, her watercolor, “Slater Mill,” took second place in the same show and was reproduced on a 2007 fundraising calendar. Also in 2009, Donna’s watercolor painting of boiling lobsters, called “The Steam Room,” earned a place in the prestigious American Watercolor Society show at the Salmagundi Club in New York City.

 

Donna is a Signature member of the Rhode Island Watercolor Society, an artist member of the Providence Art Club, an associate member of the New England Watercolor Society and a sustaining member of the American Watercolor Society.