Donna was born on the east coast in Teaneck, New Jersey but was very soon crisscrossing America with her parents and brother. Her father was an officer in the military and his career meant a life of continual travel. "Because I was painfully shy as a child the constant moving and uprooting was very difficult for me. I became an astute observer rather than an active participant. At the time it was a way to cope.
Donna's formal study began at Northern California painter Richard Yip's plein air classes at the famous Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, California. Donna has also studied with Art Students League painter Sherri McGraw and David Lafel as well as Sergei Bongart protege Ovanes Berberian. Besides painting full time in her Santa Barbara studio, Donna studies drawing from the model, something she considers essential for a painter.
