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Artist paints windows into her personality Story by Teresa Latchford Photography by Mike Barrett To Donnah Cameron the world belongs on a can vas The bright vibrant colours hanging on the walls of the artists Newmarket home stand out against the modest background The paintings act as small win dows allowing the viewer to gather hints about her personality and catch a glimpse of the way she views the world People say Im bubbly she said with a smile while sipping out of her coffee mug at the kitchen table Im just a person who loves everything people animals and colour She remembers being immersed in the world of art in her youth as her parents were artists display ing their work in the Cameron Gal lery in Prince Edward County Not only did they paint they were also teachers People say Im bubbly Im just a person who loves everything people animals and colour She fondly remembers complet ing her first oil painting when she was seven years old learning while her father taught a class When she was 10 one of her works was displayed with her mothers adult class at Queens Uni versity I assisted my mother with teaching and thats when I caught the bug she said explaining the only passion that matches painting is teaching I have been teaching art since I was in high school She has taught art with many school boards and postsecondary institutions in a variety of mediums including oil and watercolours pro duction pottery and silk There is no greater joy than watching a person become an art ist she admitted Although she doesnt take credit for an artists ability her teachings Cameron has taught art with many school boards and post- secondary institutions in a variety of mediums including oil and water- colours production pottery and silk makes her a small part of that suc cess which makes it all the more worthwhile I feel like I had a hand in their success Ms Cameron said of her many students I can also see my input in their work which is very rewarding One of the most important les sons she learned was realizing she shouldnt focus merely on doing or getting a project done but rather Details about Ms Camerons annual fall art show will be posted at donnahcameroncom to enjoying every step that contrib utes to the final product This is when she realized art is what she was meant to do Im so lucky to be able to do something I love she said Its almost like a drug I need to paint and it energizes me After discovering the joy of paint ing on location she made the deci sion to share the experience with her students and fellow artists Struck by the inspiration she discovered in Eastern Canada she organized a group of about 12 stu dents and took them with her on the next trip Since that first trip Ms Cameron has taken her students to France eight times which she plans to visit again in 2011 Italy three times Greece and Mexico Its almost like a drug I need to paint and it energizes me The architecture and the land scape are aweinspiring she said You know that saying that we take things for granted at home Well when you are somewhere else you see things you wouldnt normally see It is like seeing the world for the first time and she refuses to miss that inspiration When she travels not only does she pack her canvas paints and tools she never leaves without her camera and always returns home with 600 to 1000 photographs of reference for future work She thrives when mixing and experimenting with bold colour ing Her basement is her sanctuary long tables hold brushes tools and canvas while offering ample working space with spotlights to DONNAH CAMERON FINISHES OUR SENTENCES The best flavour of ice cream is cappuccino If stranded on a deserted island I couldnt Im without sunscreen my paints and music If I could have lunch with anyone in the world it would be Leonardo Da Vinci I would title my autobiography Splendid My guilty pleasure is a massage theres nothing quite like a good massage People would be surprised to know Im a germaphobe brighten the room It is where she and many of her students unleash their creativity Many of her works are on dis play at the Newmarket Theatre until March 1 She also plans to hold her annual art show in her home in the fall featuring works from her two daughters as well But when the die hard painter is not creating works on canvas she is creating works of art in her back and front yards Her eye for colour allows her to create masterpieces in her garden I love getting my hands dirty she smiled I just love having the soil as my canvas and composing the flowers She has had many people stop and appreciate her gardens over the years as they pass by on the street She also gives many of her flowers away hoping to inspire others to create their own gorgeous gardens A lot of people stop chat and praise my gardens she laughed Ive even had people come along and take wedding pictures in my garden Were Sold on Service LESSOR NEWMARKET ONTARIO I the Tower of Quality for General Motors Its a NEW YEAR and we ate here Ne narket and Aurora area 1 7645 Yonqe Street Newmarket across from Upper Canada Mall 9058952351