Donna Dickson

The works of Donna Lee Dickson exhibit a very human touch. Here we see a man soldiering onwards with goods to sell, there are a mother and daughter holding hands and on this canvas we catch local women busy in the sun over their tubs of laundry.

But these small glimpses of everyday life are wrought in brilliant colors and bathed in luminescent light that lifts them far beyond the prosaic. The artist’s respect and affection shine through the quiet scenes.

Donna is a Canadian, originally from Vancouver, British Columbia. Although she had an early interest in art, Donna did not begin to paint seriously until 1973, when she and her husband, painter Tom Dickson, visited Greece. On her return to Canada she continued to pursue painting and by the 1980’s her maritime scenes were very popular in Halifax’s art galleries. In 1990 Donna returned to Canada’s west coast, moving to the outlying Hornby Island, a lively artist’s community, where she became known for her subtle and sensitive seascapes and landscapes. Donna also embarked on two new artistic directions, as owner of successful local gallery and also as a sought-after teacher of watercolor technique.

Over the years, Donna has been a student as well as teacher, studying with artists such as famed watercolorist Alvaro Castagnet and the modern master of en plein air oils, Kevin Macpherson. It was also during this period that her interest in Mexico fully developed. Having first visited in 1970, the late 1990’s found her giving art classes in her winter home in Mexico and in 2005 she and Tom made Mexico their permanent home.

Donna has continued to develop her skills as a plein air painter, drawing inspiration from the landscapes, people and charm of San Miguel. Her watercolors glow with gentle light while her oils excite with vivid, often unexpected colors, juxtaposed one against another. Her subjects are imbued with life and personality; heat-baked walls shimmer, jaunty awnings wink convincingly and the commonplace is rendered special.

Ms. Dickson’s works can be found in collections throughout North America. In addition to painting, Donna still enjoys leading workshops in plein air technique, and can often be seen on location with her students. She has also recently returned to gallery ownership, in San Miguel de Allende, you can visit This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at Zacateros No. 81-B to view recent works and arrange for instruction.

Los trabajos de Donna Lee Dickson exhiben un toque muy humano. En ellos vemos una madre y una hija tomadas de la mano, y en alguna tela, una mujer local ocupada, bajo el rayo del sol, inclinada sobre su lavadero. Pero estos pequeños vistazos de la vida cotidiana son trabajados en colores radiantes, y bañados con luminiscencias que los elevan por encima de lo prosaico. El respeto y cariño de la artista son evidentes y resplandecen a través de sus tranquilas escenas.

Donna Dickson es una canadiense, originalmente de Vancouver, Columbia Británica. A pesar de que tuvo un temprano interés por el arte, no comenzó a pintar seriamente sino hasta 1973, cuando ella y su esposo, el pintor Tom Dickson, visitaron Grecia. A su regreso a Canadá ella continuó pintando y para los años 80s sus marinas ya eran muy populares en las galerías de arte de Halifax. En 1990 Donna regresó a la costa oeste de Canadá, volviéndose paisajista. En Hornby Island, una animada comunidad de artistas, se dio a conocer por sus sensibles paisajes y marinas. Donna también incursionó en dos nuevas direcciones artísticas; como propietaria de una exitosa galería de arte local; y, como muy solicitada maestra de acuarela.

Al paso de los años, Donna estudió con algunos artistas famosos, como el acuarelista Alvaro Castagnet y el moderno maestro de óleo Kevin Macpherson. También durante este período se desarrolló su interés por México. Su primera visita la hizo en 1970, y para el 2005 ella y Tom hicieron de México su hogar.

Donna ha continuado desarrollando su habilidad como paisajista, inspirándose en la gente y el encanto natural de San Miguel. Sus acuarelas brillan con una luz suave, mientras que sus óleos emocionan con colores vivaces, yuxtaponiéndose unos contra otros, para imbuir vida y carácter a sus personajes. Las paredes reflejan el calor, atribuyendo un instantáneo y convincente giro a los lugares comunes, para tornarnos en especiales.
Donna todavía disfruta de dar talleres de la técnica paisajista, y es con frecuencia vista acompañada por sus estudiantes.

El trabajo del señora Dickson se encuentra en colecciones en Canadá, Estados Unidos y México. En San Miguel de Allende, la This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Zacateros No. 81-B), es representante exclusiva del señora Dickson.