Artist Donna Huddleston (& Curating An Art Show)

Today I feel inspired by the soft watercolors of London-based Australian illustrator Donna Huddleston. From costume and set design to now a fine artist, Donna has experimented with a number of interests landing her on what appears to be her most successful to date: her delicate, enchanting works of art. Her drawings have a distinct fairytale feel with futuristic elements woven in, like each character could be on stage or behind a camera posing, twirling, pretending… then fading into your imagination as you exit, their story popping up randomly throughout various parts of the day that follows. How I would love to own one of her pieces and I wish so badly that she would release limited edition prints because the painting in the lower right corner below… well it would be proudly displayed in my home!

Like you, there are many artists that I often dream of either meeting in person or attending an exhibit of their work and Donna is one of them — I’d love to see her illustrations up close and personal. If you could curate a gallery show, who would you select to partake? My dream is to curate a show, despite that I guess I already do it virtually on a daily basis. What I’m saying is, something live – because most of my work is concentrated online and I crave to do more in-person with people who inspire and motivate me because I would prefer more of a balance in this respect. I tasted the experience a little when my own work was part of an exhibition in New Hampshire once where I wrote a declaration of interdependence and I co-curated a show in Los Angeles, but never have I had the opportunity to curate an entire show on my own… How fun!

Tell me, are you fond of a particular artist at the moment? Have you been to any inspiring gallery shows lately and found a new favorite?

(images: donna huddleston)

19 Responses to “Artist Donna Huddleston (& Curating An Art Show)”

1 cheryl oz commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 7:51 am

Gorgeous! Very light and flowing work. When I do my watercolors I’m more bright and vibrant, but I tend to go that way in everything I like. Her work is very inspiring.
cheryl oz´s last blog ..Holiday Cardinal Greeting Card
2 Nadine commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:08 am

Hi Holly,

I’m loving the work of Michael Eastman at the moment. He is a self-taught photographer and his work is being exhibited in lots of museums and galeries in the US. I think he is very talented and there is something special about the mood he manages to capture in his photos.
Check it out: http://www.eastmanimages.com/

Have a nice day.
Nadine
Nadine´s last blog ..An Education
3 31everything commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:18 am

Donna’s work is beautiful! She makes it look easy which I’m sure it’s not! I’ve only mastered stick people, so I admire her talent. These would look great in a kids room :) Thanks for sharing.
31everything´s last blog ..Books Under Lamps
4 Fresh Design Blog commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:27 am

Haven’t come across her work before, but they’re very light and delicate – perfect for a child’s nursery.
Fresh Design Blog´s last blog ..Top 10 kitchen worktop savers
5 lindsay commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:28 am

Jen Stark’s intricate drawings are amazing as are her paper sculptures…and I’ve been adoring Elsa Mora’s ( Elsita) papercuts for ages!

The watercolors are a lovely find.
6 kéa commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:43 am

My daily visit is a real pleasure!
7 ishtar commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:48 am

Lovely soft colors, so relaxing!
I´m inspired by many artist, but theres one in particular I love:
http://www.fine-art-studios.com/intro.html
ishtar´s last blog ..tutorial marco con pinzas / Clothspin line tutorial
8 Shokoofeh commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:06 am

Dreamy. Soft. Beautiful!

Thanks!
xo
Shokoofeh´s last blog ..DANCE, DANCE LIKE A BUTTERFLY
9 Juliet commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:09 am

Hi Holly — I just went to a terrific opening over the weekend called, WordPlay. The exhibition explores a fascination with language on the printed page.

http://goodgoodland.com/wordplay.html

One of my favorite artists, Matt Klimas, was there: http://mattklimas.com/htm/work.htm. His style is very fresh and modern with a hint of whimsy! Right now a lot of his work is demonstrating a lot of earthy elements and natural rhythms.
Juliet´s last blog ..Rock Art
10 Lydia, Clueless Crafter commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 10:18 am

I’m enraptured by Kara Walker’s work. Her silhouettes explore race, gender, sexuality as seen through an African American’s eyes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara_Walker

I have seen here work in person at a number of gallery shows in NY.
Lydia, Clueless Crafter´s last blog ..Crafting Coupledom
11 camille commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 10:30 am

oooooh ! Very cute.
camille´s last blog ..tableaux pour les p’tits bouts de choux
12 thedoodlegirl commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 11:15 am

Such a fun style she has! Soft, delicate and whimsical.
thedoodlegirl´s last blog ..Illustration Friday: Blur
13 lindsey commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 11:19 am

Wow, her work is amazing. So light and airy. I’m with you on the limited edition prints…I’d take one!

My favorite artist is Pennelope Dullaghan. I’ve been following her for years and her art is amazing.

{ Lindsey }
http://greatfullday.blogspot.com
lindsey´s last blog ..Shirt Sale
14 cecilie commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 11:20 am

I love them! Just beautiful..
15 C commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 11:31 am

When I saw this I thought, Cirque du Soleil! There’s that dreamy quality and fluidity of movement from the performers that just seems to be captured here.
C´s last blog ..Compositions of a bookish mind
16 miz katie commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 2:55 pm

Oooh, I love her work!!
17 Rebecca commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

just sublime!
18 Liss commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 3:43 pm

her work is gorgeous, its my dream to one day curate an art show too!!
Liss´s last blog ..I heart the arctic
19 Katie Stephenson commented:
November 10th, 2009 at 10:33 pm

I missed the original post of your essay. I really enjoyed reading it just now. Very well-written.
Katie Stephenson´s last blog ..Grumble Toy

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