Q&A with Guest Artist Donna Flowers-Dorning

Now based in Cumbria's Festival town of Ulverston, Donna produces fantastic and fantastical art. Patterns, plants, books, ice cream and much much more come together in a fusion of the everyday, but given a special twist. We asked Donna about her art and about her.

Obviously we’re huge fans of your art but what we’d like to know is when did the fire start for you with art?

Growing up in an Arty house I have always, drawn, painted and made things from being little.

My painting style as it is today, really only started in the first lockdown when I was furloughed from my job as a Youth worker for several months. It gave me the time to paint for my first exhibition, which was held in a socially distanced barn!

When did you first take to art and was there anyone out there, teacher or artist that became an influence on you?

Definitely my mum and my grandad, who were both painters have influenced my love of painting, and my mum has really inspired my detailed style of art and the materials I use (acrylic on canvas).

You have an almost kaleidoscopic style with your canvases and the overall effect is influenced by so many elements. How did you arrive at this style?

It started when I used photos of my travels, I would layer up objects, patterns, sometimes a view through a window, flowers and plants, all resulting in the maximalist style you see in my Still Life series.

The studio is on fire (it’s not your fault yet the insurance company will find a loophole to not pay out). But, what would be the one painting / print you would save. It’s a long winded way of saying what’s your favourite?

Ha ha, well my favourite has sadly now sold to a beautiful Greek lady in London!

Titled 'Kate's Party' it featured a feast of oysters, fruit, cake, cheeses, wine, candelabra, painting of naked dancers around a fire. I painted it after attending my gorgeous friend Kate loves gathering for winter solstice to celebrate friendship, feasting and bohemia!

We’re commissioning a piece, we need an animal, a quote from someone you admire, a book and a bird. It’s your choice, what are you going for?

Well as my animal I'll do a mermaid if I'm allowed, bird wise I choose Starlings for their incredible murmurations, quote wise please can I just go for the whole lyrics of 1997 song Sunscreen by Baz Luhrmann! For my book with its beautiful romantic cover, I'd choose Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronté.

You can travel anywhere to produce this canvas. Where are you going and why?

Mexico, because Frida Kahlo is a huge influence of mine and I think I would feel really inspired and connected after a visit to her and Diego's house, taking in the textiles, music food and colours along the way.

We love your print ‘Narrowboat Nomads’ but who would you most like to take on your narrowboat for a chat, tea and flapjack?

Dead or Alive? Its going to have to be Frida again.

Many thanks to Donna for a little insight into her passion for art. We have a number of Donna's prints available here on our website. You can purchase originals and can also commission a piece of your own at www.donnaflowersdorning.com