Meet the Artist, Susan Donley

I've been an artist for over 40 years, first selling my art in junior high -- $2 for a set of four pencil drawings of the Monkees! My career took me through art and museum education, instructional media, web design, and related disciplines. But the itch to pick up the low-tech pencil and draw has brought me back to my first love.

Artist Statement

Sharing my life with a succession of beloved dogs, cats, birds, and bunnies taught me what truly unique personalities each of them had. Birds jockeying for position at the feeder confirmed my suspicions that every creature has its own character.

In my art I aim to capture animals' uniqueness, both to honor their Creator and to remind us all of the bonds we share with the domestic and wild creatures in our lives.

I love how the continuous tones of graphite on paper focus attention on the essential forms and textures, revealing the essence of my subject. For subjects that cry for color, I use watercolor, colored pencil, and oil pastel in any combination that does the job. The medium isn't as important to me as the character of the being I'm trying to bring to life on paper.

Finally, my latest work has been scratchboard, an unfortunately named engraving medium that combines the best of both worlds with minutely detailed texture and rich glowing color:

More of Susan Donley's work

• SusanDonley.com for non-pet artwork, including portraits of people and places
• LearningDesign.com for art and museum education, web and instructional design
• EyesOnThePrize.org Information and Support for Gynecologic Cancer for Sue's service work on behalf of women with cancers "below-the-belt"

Contact Information

Sue's studio is in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA (a suburb of Pittsburgh), near the Oakmont Country Club.

Email: info @ petspictured.com
Phone: 412-828-8679