• By Walkertown Branch
  • Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Art Show by Patty Donoghue at Walkertown

An acrylic and ink artwork exhibit by Winston-Salem artist Patty Donoghue will be on display at Walkertown Branch Library through the end of March. The exhibit features works from her Playground Series that use a lighthearted and bright painting style to instill a feeling of joy and fun for viewers. More of Donaghue’s works may be found on the artist’s website.

Patty Donoghue will offer an Art Class for Adults at the Walkertown Branch Library on art class at the Walkertown Branch Library on Wednesday, March 25, 10 a.m. - noon. Sign up by calling the library at 336-703-2990 or email to walkertownlibrary@gmail.com.

Watch this short video to meet the artist and hear an introduction to her Walkertown show.


Below is a transcript of an interview with Donoghue conducted by Natalia Tuchina, Branch Manager at Walkertown Branch Library, in January of 2020.

Natalia Tuchina: When did you start drawing and painting? Where did your love of art come from?

Patty Donoghue:I’ve always done art in my life. As a child, I did art exhibits with my siblings and I forced my mother to judge them. In my later years, I became an occupational therapist and had a long career as a healthcare administrator. I’ve come back to full-time artwork at this point in my life. I’m generally a pretty happy person and I see things pretty optimistically and I think you can find that in my artwork.

Natalia: How do you make your artwork so happy, energetic and positive? Is this how you are naturally or does creating art make you happy and positive?

Patty: I think it’s a little bit of both! I am very optimistic. The art energizes and keeps bringing positivity to the surface. It’s a lot of joy to use brightness and color. Once I get going, like in the pieces that are very whimsical with little people dancing and sliding and doing cartwheels, I start to get carried away as an artist. It does carry you into that positive style.

Natalia: How do you pick your colors?

Patty: I like the lighter colors and inks. All these pieces are done in acrylic or alcohol inks. For the most part, they are light and translucent colors. So, they kind of lead to being these bright fun choices like golds, pinks, greens, blues and primary colors. They’re very bright in inks. I started out as a watercolor artist and I love watercolors, but it takes a while to get the intense colors. Partway through my career, I switched and started experimenting with the inks and they become loud very quickly. I like that!

Natalia: Are you self-taught?

Patty: I am pretty much self-taught, although, throughout primary school and college, I got a ton of art courses. At the time I graduated from Texas Woman’s University, the occupational therapy program had several art courses such as weaving and ceramics, all different venues of art. I was also lucky enough in high school to get that from a very good program.

Natalia: Do you do art for yourself?

Patty: I do, I have a few pieces I’ve held on to and have chosen not to sell or release. Yes, my home has a lot of artworks! (laughs)

Natalia: What advice would you give to someone who would like to start doing art, but doesn’t know how to start? Or maybe isn’t confident in their abilities?

Patty: I would say first of all that art is very therapeutic. I learned that through my career and life. You can accomplish something and make something with it and there are all forms of it. People who do two-dimensional art may not love clay or that type of art, but all of it excellent for your self-esteem and mood and just for your wellbeing.

I would say try it! Pick up a pencil and start trying it. There are so many classes you can look at on youtube and at the library! Everybody can experiment in something creative. If it’s not painting, maybe it’s making pies, something that makes you feel good about yourself.

Natalia: We love your artwork and thank you for sharing! We are looking forward to your art class at the Walkertown Branch Library on Wednesday, March 25, 10 a.m. - noon.


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