Donna Hughes-Saurina

Dr. Hughes-Saurina began drawing and painting in watercolor shortly after moving to lower Bucks County in 1985 to practice veterinary medicine. It is no surprise that pets, her own, and her patients are her favorite subjects and pet portraits are her primary source of commissions. Her knowledge of how they are formed, how muscles work, and fur grows enhances her art.  Medical training in observation produces expressive eyes that bring animal faces whether wild or beloved companions to vibrant life. She works primarily in transparent watercolor or oil on panels to achieve glowing glazes.

Donna divides her time between veterinary practice and painting. She lives in Langhorne, PA and with her husband provides a pampered existence for their three cats and a former guide dog enjoying his retirement.

"Starting with the eyes I make detailed drawings of my subjects with pencil, then paint following their contours, exploring patterns, looking for design. My backgrounds are often abstract suggestions of habitat. While I do work on paper, I fell in love with the Ampersand Encaustic board because of the freedom and control it allows.  Therefore, most of my pieces can be varnished and framed without glass.

Ultimately my work expresses joy. The beauty of God's gift to us of life. True, much of the world around us and our own lives doesn't make sense. There's frustration, loss, and pain as well as peace and goodness. But what we see of this life is not all there is. It's like looking at the back of a tapestry in progress. If we trust the Artist, we know it will be beautiful because it is created with love. He proved it by giving us His Son, called Immanuel--God with us, to give us full life. God pours His grace on all who call on Him. We can't earn it, but we can pass it on to those around us. In my art as in all my life, I want to be a conduit of grace. " Donna L. Hughes-Saurina