Donna Calleja creates paintings inspired by her observation of light and shadow on flowers, fruit, shells and leaves. She retired four years ago from a career in art education to dedicate more time to painting. Her work has been exhibited recently in exhibitions at Storefront Art Projects, ConcordArt, The South Shore Art Center and ETA 31, 32 and 34 at Nahcotta. The paintings included in her ETA 35 collection were created at her home studio in Watertown, Massachusetts.

About this collection: "Flowers and Fruit" was inspired by her observations of light and shadow on the beautiful colors and textures found in garden flowers and fruit. She arranges natural forms together for their shape and color from direct observation and her imagination. She especially loves to paint the unpredictable play of light when stems and leaves are placed in glass and water. Her painting process begins with an underpainting that defines a composition of light and shadow. With close observation she adds layers of acrylic paint to build texture and detail. Her goal is to interpret the feeling of stillness and she hopes to provide viewers with a moment of quiet reflection.