Shae Butter Painting

Noel Donaldson: Artist Bio The tools that Noel Donaldson uses to create art, varies from time. He is just as comfortable with a graphite pencil as he is with paintbrush or palette knife. There is, however, a consistent thread that runs through each of his pieces. Noel is a self-taught artist but fully understands the work ethic and commitment involved in artistic growth and excellence. Noel's work consists of acrylic paintings on large canvas, larger mixed media pieces on canvas and recycled, distressed denim doll sculptures, which he refers to as his "Ancestral stitching". Hugely influenced by the color pallets, structure and societal meaning of the great Mexican Muralist's, Noel is equally impressed with the aggressive styles of the New York Neo Expressionistic art scene in the 1980's. Raised by a Jamaican mother, in the South Bronx, in a mainly Latin community and being exposed at a young age to the hieroglyphics of street graffiti, one can see where both the cultural and artistic expression of his neighborhood would play a great role in his artistic sensibility. Most recently, Noel took part in the Blue Door Art Gallery show in Yonkers New York, The Project Brownstone Art gallery show in Harlem and The Pool Art Fair in New York City. In each of these shows he sold several pieces and was asked to join multiple group shows. Noel’s artwork has been purchased by collectors and art lovers from all over the world and by a wide variety of people. Noel has cultivated a steady group of collectors, whom not only purchase the artwork, but also champion his artistic voice. He has been working tirelessly over the past 2 years to create a collective body of work that is both cohesive and unique. Although there is a sense of a moral undertone running through each of Noel's art pieces, the self-righteousness and indictment of an opposing opinion, has been left out. Mr. Donaldson has stated, "Most people do not want to be preached at, or guilt tripped by art. The difficultly for an artist who is attempting to take a stance, lies in the ability to get your point across and elicit a provoking thought, while still maintaining an aesthetic style". The driving force behind the art pieces appear to be the need to represent a voice to those who may go voiceless in our society. Noel hopes to achieve his dream of being a well-respected and collected artist. He seems to have a full grasp on the time, effort and dedication that will be needed to accomplish this.