Pursuit 365 Day 101:Donna Giraud

Vancouver-based abstract painter, Donna Giraud, is an internationally collected artist. She creates paintings that will make your other walls jealous and is an eternal optimist, an ambassador of kindness, and a painter of positivity.

I am that person who knows the entire life story of my Uber driver before the end of my ride. I am that person who says hello to every human and dog I pass on my early morning walks, and I am definitely that person that isn’t afraid to mentor and share all of my knowledge because I am confident there is room for all of us to succeed.

I can thank my dad for my unwavering gift of the gab and relentless energy. I grew up seeing the power of treating everyone with respect and how a conversation with a stranger can be both silly and full of connection at the same time. I learned that fostering relationships is the backbone of a fulfilling life, and that I was capable of leaving a highly respectable and honoured career as a Head Nurse to discover the voice of my then passion, now career, as a painter.

Being an artist is hard. Not very many of us can say we make a living out of the art we create. With this career choice comes an enormous amount of competition, constant rejection, and the many societal opinions.

I believe, now more than ever, that people need a reminder that goodness still exists. Over the years, I discovered I could tell stories through texture, where there is a world thriving because of love, hope, and togetherness. I figured out how my paintings could create visceral emotions and challenged people to reimagine a future free of chaos and destruction, a time when we could pause and reconnect.

Whether it is with a piece of art or with my actions and words – to positively change the trajectory of someone’s day is my ultimate goal. As I reflect on the journey my artistic path has taken me, I can confidently say the combination of tenacity, kindness, and optimism has been the secret to my success.

I also want as many people as possible to know that bringing art into your life should be a wonderful experience that should not be overlooked. Art has the power to heal and transform and you should not be intimidated to commit to finding that perfect piece of art. Art does not have to be expensive and all that matters is that you love it.

If one of those pieces happens to be mine, I would be happy and honoured to help you through the process. I am currently working on my second solo show of 2021 that will be released in the fall, but in the meantime, I have a ton of work that could be perfect for your home or office. All you have to do is have a look here.