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An Artist, An Influence

“Simply Steeples” by Donna Lindboe Trupin.

Influences throughout my life collectively contribute to the reason I’ve become an artist. Innately, I knew I had a passion for the arts. My first major influence was my high school art teacher, George Blanas. He had visions none of us students ever imagined, and he challenged us with as much media as possible. His enthusiasm was contagious. As a sophomore, he encouraged me to attend summers at the Art Institute in Chicago, another major influence.

The old school was a “piece of work” itself. Even the smell of turpentine excited me. My morning class was “Life Drawing” and my afternoon was “Design.” My awakening was that my “Life Drawing” class was not “Still Life Drawing.” Ready to draw, I was sandwiched between a nun and an “older” man in his late 30s. Suddenly, out of what I thought was a closet appeared a lovely, unrobed woman. I still remember how difficult it was to make my first charcoal stroke on my paper! Other clothed models appeared as if they were handpicked off the streets of the city; wonderfully wrinkled, older Chinese gentlemen in full costume and gypsy-like women in full regalia. It was a fabulous experience.

My college years at Madison in the late ‘60s initiated me into a whole new venue of influences. As a freshman, I joined the Union Gallery Committee, headed by the impressive Charlie Lyons of Fish Creek (I remember thinking that was such an amusing name for a town – and now I’m a resident!). Another remarkable and energetic influence was my ceramic teacher, Don Reitz. He later had a major impact on the ceramic world.

Our life in Santa Fe, “the city different,” full of charm, color and galleries was a huge inspiration. Moving to Door County in 1995 has ongoing influences by its natural beauty, peacefulness and supportive arts. My travels to Italy, Mexico, the Southwest, and soon to be France with my amazing partner Lew have encouraged my creativity as well. Life is good.

Donna Lindboe Trupin in an artist living in Fish Creek. She is represented by Fine Line Designs Gallery in Ephraim. For a look at Donna’s art, please visit Fine Line Designs Gallery’s website at http://www.finelinedesignsgallery.com/artists/DonnaLindboeTrupin.html.

The Peninsula Pulse has partnered with the Hardy Gallery to present the series, “An Artist, an Influence.” For more information about the Hardy, please call 920.854.2210, email [email protected], or visit http://www.thehardy.org.