Donna Manaraze Art Collections
Shop for artwork from Donna Manaraze based on themed collections. Each image may be purchased as a canvas print, framed print, metal print, and more! Every purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Artwork by Donna Manaraze
Each image may be purchased as a canvas print, framed print, metal print, and more! Every purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Blanket Flowers by Donna Manaraze

Tangerine Punch by Donna Manaraze

See the Bee? by Donna Manaraze

Pansies Schmanzies by Donna Manaraze

Garnet Punch by Donna Manaraze

Prim 'n Proper by Donna Manaraze

Arboretum Wildflower by Donna Manaraze

Los Chiles by Donna Manaraze

A Thousand Sunsets by Donna Manaraze

In the White Mountains by Donna Manaraze

Sunset in Strawberry by Donna Manaraze

Sisters by Donna Manaraze

Red Explosion by Donna Manaraze

Sway With Me by Donna Manaraze

Giggles by Donna Manaraze

Purple Punch by Donna Manaraze

Golden Punch by Donna Manaraze

Bougainvillea by Donna Manaraze

Mandy's Magnificent Sunflower by Donna Manaraze

Mandy's Burgundy Beauty by Donna Manaraze

Hide 'n Seek by Donna Manaraze

Mandy's Dazzling Diva by Donna Manaraze

Basking in the Sun by Donna Manaraze

Party Girls by Donna Manaraze
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Donna Manaraze
As a long-time high school English teacher, I love the drama of the written word, the flow of a phrase, and the art of creating a visual picture in the reader's mind. Art, like the written word, speaks volumes without the slightest sound. Each nuance of the brush stroke can stir the imagination and lighten one's heart. Acrylic painting is the medium I love because it lends itself to my impatience to put bold colors on the canvas until the painting begins to speas to me and come alive. I am drawn to the brilliant colors of flowers, to their individuality, strength, and their ability to brighten any room. I search for flowers and gardens with my camera in hand and find those flowers that catch my eye and put a smile on my face. I want my painted flowers to look real, to be intense, alive, and to lift right off the canvas. I find the irony of the delicate strength of flowers to be empowering and inspiring in my life and want that for those who place my paintings in their environment as well.
I have always wanted to paint, but it wasn't until March of 2012 that I put my brush to the canvas. One afternoon I sat in front of a small blank canvas while staring at a basket of yarn that I had placed on a desk in front of me. My 6-year-old grandson, Logan, came into the room. He stopped, looked at me, looked at the canvas, and looked back at me, puzzled. "Whatcha doin, Granna?"
"I want to paint that, but I'm afraid." Oh, my! I really AM afraid, aren't I? I had not even admitted that to myself before.
He paused in thought, then looked me in the eye and said, "Just start, Granna. Don't be afraid. Just start!"
"I don't even know where to start, Logan."
There was another long pause while he carefully studied the basket of yarn. He spoke with such confidence, arms folded across his chest, "Start with the basket....definitely.....start with the basket."
So I did and haven't stopped since.
I don't know why it took such courage for me to begin to paint and why I waited so long to try, but once I got started I fell in love with it. As an educator it's always pretty easy to teach someone else something I know, but this time, I'm teaching myself something I've always wanted to do and actually didn't know I could do. I'm finding that I instinctively know how to paint and love every second I'm at the easel. I'm very thankful for all the wonderful artists who post instructional videos about painting.
When people find joy in looking at my paintings, it does my heart good. My life's work has been about showing people who they are, how beautiful and strong they are, to awaken in them the desire to dream bigger, be bolder, and to live in full color. If my paintings reflect those passions, it is because of who I am. I am living my own dream- in full color.