As the Hamptons Fine Art Fair approaches, the spotlight turns to Donna Isham, an abstract artist whose captivating creations promise to ignite dialogue and introspection. A native of Los Angeles, Isham’s journey as an artist is deeply rooted in her unique perspective of the world around her. From her hometown’s vibrant tapestry of cultural diversity, Isham’s artistry reflects her introspective nature and acute awareness of the human experience. Through her bold and dynamic canvases, she seeks to inspire conversations about courage, individuality, and the power of personal expression. Ahead of her showcase at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair starting July 11 with Coagula Curatorial Gallery (booth 301), we sat down with Isham to delve deeper into her artistic process, inspirations, and the driving forces behind her distinctive style.
Your journey as an artist seems deeply intertwined with your personal experiences and perspectives. How has your upbringing in Los Angeles shaped your artistic expression?
Growing up in the San Fernando Valley as the quintessential “valley girl” has profoundly influenced my artistic expression. Living on the outskirts gave me a sense of being an observer, a perspective that was heightened by attending a school where children were bussed in from the inner city. This exposure to a rich tapestry of cultures felt like being part of a group of misfits who had come together, sparking my intrigue and appreciation for diversity.
Weekends spent in Santa Monica at the beach and on the Venice boardwalk immersed me in the eclectic and vibrant energy of these areas. Meanwhile, the omnipresent “Hollywood hype” created an environment where the allure of magic, fame, and fortune seemed always just around the corner. This intangible thread, reminiscent of the gold rush, made me acutely aware of differences and the unique beauty inherent in each person.
These experiences have indelibly shaped my artistic expression. I strive to honor the individually unique qualities of people, celebrating the diversity and distinctiveness that I witnessed growing up. My art is a reflection of this journey, aiming to capture and highlight the varied and beautiful threads that make up the human tapestry.
You're My Calm by Donna Isham
Love Letters To Old Friends by Donna Isham
Lifeguard Station At Daybreak by Donna Isham
Lifeguard Station by Donna Isham
Ecstasy by Donna IshamYour artistic style is often described as a lyrical abstraction. Could you elaborate on what this means and how it influences your creative process?
Absolutely. Lyrical abstraction in my work refers to a style that blends expressive, fluid forms with a sense of spontaneity and emotion. This approach is deeply rooted in my love for figuration, particularly the beauty of the female form. My abstractions often evolve from these origins, incorporating biomorphic shapes that create intricate layers within my abstract pieces.
As I engage in a dynamic dialogue with the canvas, faces, or body parts often emerge within the abstraction, creating a sense of discovery for the viewer. This back-and-forth process with the canvas is both intuitive and improvisational, allowing the paintings to feel organic and alive. The energy and movement within each piece are palpable, reflecting the vibrant, flowing nature of my creative process. This interplay of shapes and forms not only conveys the essence of the human figure but also captures the emotional and energetic essence of the moment of creation.
Your work celebrates the multifaceted nature of female beauty and emphasizes themes of vulnerability and courage. What inspired you to explore these themes in your art?
Growing up, I didn’t have role models who pursued professions beyond being homemakers, which I find to be an unfortunate travesty. While there is immense value and dignity in being a wife, mother, and homemaker, I believe women encompass so much more. Women possess a unique energy and occupy multifaceted roles — from giving birth and being caretakers to becoming entrepreneurs and leaders in various fields.
This combination of strength and vulnerability deeply inspires me, and I aim to celebrate it through my art. When I paint from a “female gaze,” I honor the resilience, courage, and multifaceted nature of female beauty. My work is a tribute to the diverse experiences and roles that women embody, capturing the essence of their strength and the nuanced vulnerabilities that make them powerful. This exploration is not just a celebration but also an acknowledgment of the breadth and depth of what it means to be a woman.
You mentioned engaging with a variety of mediums in your artistic practice. How do you decide which medium to use for a particular piece, and how does each medium contribute to the overall message of your work?
I am deeply in love with the process of painting, and my choice of medium is driven by the specific needs of each piece and the message I want to convey. I begin my creative process with an underlayer of graphite and charcoal, using mark-making to establish a foundation. From there, I add and subtract colors and shapes, engaging in a dynamic interplay of obscuring and revealing elements.
Acrylic paint, with its quick drying time, allows me to work rapidly and improvisationally, enhancing the spontaneity of my style. I enjoy the immediacy and flexibility it provides, which is essential for the fluid and energetic nature of my work. On the other hand, I adore the buttery texture of oils and oil sticks. These mediums offer a rich, tactile experience and enable me to achieve a depth and complexity in texture that acrylics cannot. The slower drying time of oils allows for blending and layering, adding to the emotional depth and nuance of the piece.
Each medium contributes uniquely to the overall message of my work. The combination of various textures and techniques — ranging from the crisp lines of graphite to the lushness of oil — creates a multifaceted surface that reflects the complexity of my themes. This versatility allows me to express the intricate interplay of strength and vulnerability, movement and stillness, which are central to my artistic vision.
Are you involved in digital art experiments like the NFT or metaverse space? Why or why not?
Interestingly enough, I’m not a big fan of NFTs. However, I am very intrigued by the Metaverse and eager to embrace digital technology within the context of organic paintings. I also wanted to work with my husband, Mark Isham, a brilliant film composer and recording artist. We’ve collaborated on several immersive pieces where I create a painting, and then digital projections of this work are crafted by separating out the layers of paint and mark-making into a dozen distinct layers.
We take this animation and re-project it onto the canvas, infusing the piece with movement and motion, thereby introducing an element of time. Mark scores these pieces, adding a rich auditory dimension to the visual experience. These evocative artworks tell a story of transformation and evolution, blending the tradition and warmth of organic mediums with the modernity of 3-D technology and animation.
Our collaborative works have premiered at Context Art Fair during Miami Art Week and at NeueHouse, receiving rave reviews. This approach allows me to explore new dimensions of artistic expression, merging the tactile qualities of traditional art with the dynamic possibilities of digital media.
Your art invites viewers to project their imaginations and emotions onto your canvases. What do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your artwork?
I create paintings to communicate with others, making it a two-way street of expression and interpretation. I hope viewers find their own emotions and memories reflected in my work. My goal is for them to see and feel new experiences and to think in different ways. I believe cultures grow through the imagination of artists, and I hope my artwork inspires and ignites their imagination, encouraging them to explore and embrace new perspectives.
As you prepare to showcase your work at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair, what are your hopes and aspirations for this upcoming exhibition?
As I prepare to showcase my work at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair, I’m filled with excitement and anticipation. Having never been to the Hamptons before, I’ve heard wonderful things about this special place and am eager to experience its unique charm firsthand. I’m looking forward to meeting new people, and engaging with the local art community, as well as immersing myself in the beauty of this slice of paradise.
I plan to explore the local restaurants, savor the cuisine, and take lots of photos to capture the essence of the Hamptons. Additionally, I’m hoping to find some time for a walk on the beach, which I imagine will be both inspiring and rejuvenating. Through this exhibition, I aim to connect with viewers, share my artistic vision, and hopefully inspire and be inspired by the vibrant culture of the Hamptons.
What exciting projects or themes are you eager to explore in your future artistic endeavors?
I’m currently preparing for a solo show in London at Varvara Roza Gallery in November 2024, which I’m very excited about. During a residency in France at Chateau d’Orquevaux this past May, I began experimenting with watered-down paint grounds, and I’m eager to further explore this technique in my upcoming works.
Additionally, I’m creating new immersive large-scale pieces that combine abstract elements with figuration. This fusion of styles is particularly intriguing to me as it allows for a dynamic interplay between recognizable forms and abstract compositions. These projects offer a fresh avenue for exploring the boundaries of my artistic expression, and I’m looking forward to seeing how these themes and techniques evolve in my future work.
