Donna Pelton

Click images to see artist's work.

Donna Pelton grew up on a cattle ranch in Northern California. As a small girl, when she wasn't riding horses, she was drawing them. My first memory was of my mother putting one of our horses in a clover patch, putting me on the horse's back (no reins or rope), and leaving us together. The horse happily munched clover, and I was quite content to stay on her back while my mother went about her chores. At the University, I started out with an Education Major and a minor in Fine Arts. I quickly changed it to a double major of Education and Social Studies. I think I intuitively I knew that because my art was so important to me, I wanted to be very careful how and by whom it was being influenced. During my first year of teaching my roommate was taking a drawing class after work. I was so intrigued with the drawing she was doing, but as a first year teacher, I had to concentrate on lesson plans and correcting papers.

Donna passed her love for horses on to her two daughters who became accomplished equestrians. Often times with young girls come horses, horse shows, lots of grooming, and a real opportunity to get to know the horse. I was fascinated with bronzes, and I wanted a bronze of our horses. Having one commissioned proved to be expensive, and I could feel in my hands the desire to sculpt them myself. After the girls graduated from high school and I had more time, I saw a class on mold making which included a trip to a foundry. That's all the incentive I needed.

Donna's role as a dressage "show mom" gave way to son-in-laws and grandchildren. Donna was left to discover and develop what had been brewing for some time -- her talent for and love of sculpting. It is fascinating to get a glimmer of an idea, some clay, and feel the sculpture evolve and grow. The feeling comes first from my hands, my mind following along, and finally getting into the action. It is such a wonderful gift, and I feel so blessed to be able to create something that brings joy to others.

Workshops attended:
Mehl Lawson
Rosalind Cook
Gary Alsum
Dee Clements
Victor Issa

Shows:
Loveland Invitational Sculpture Show 2004 and 2005

Commissions:
Jimmy Williams Memorial Trophy of Samsung Woodstock and Susie Hutchinson with a second sculpture in the Samsung Corporate Headquarters in South Korea

Centerpiece for a fountain in The Children's Memorial Park in La Canada - Flintridge, California

Standard Schnauzer Trophy

Photography by Ken Jessen