Oh hello! Welcome to the first post on my blog! I need to warn all of you first and foremost I am not a writer. I have never had a way with words. My writing tends to be superfluous; I have a hard time explaining things, and I am a stream of consciousness type. But I will try to make things short sweet and to the point. Because who would want to read something like that.
Let me give you a bit of a back story on me. Very brief. My name is Maura Donahue and I am an artist specializing in painting from good old New Jersey. To the outside world I am a quiet and introverted person, but once you get to know me, boy have I got a lot to say. I wish to treat this blog (and all of you) like a close friend. And hopefully that comes off as charming and delightful, not weird and cringey.
I have spent a good portion of my life as sort of an underachiever, a bit of a nihilist if I’m being honest. Alot of that has to do with childhood illness, trauma, abuse, mental health issues and a healthy dose of alcoholism (I am three years sober) and food addiction (I still eat food). All of which I will probably be talking about here, because these things heavily influence my art.
I have recently come to a turning point in my life. It was a culmination of things. (I turned 30, I had to go on disability for the first time in my life due to an injury, I met an amazing and inspiring man I see a future with, oh and my Dad died) And all of that lead me to the decision to really put the effort into making what has always been a part of my life, a main focus of my life, and that is my art. I hope with time and a whole lot of effort I can become a full-time artist.
This blog will not just be a horribly awkward public diary where I whine about my problems, this is not myspace circa 2006. I will be talking:
- art techniques
- art therapy and the catharsis of art
- tips and tricks
- tutorials
- sustainable art
- art history
- artist spotlights
- art news
- and much more!
I am a transparent person, maybe to a fault and I really do want to make this a journey for all of us to experience together. I know I am not the only one who has struggled to get their art out into the public eye or had trauma that followed them into their adulthood. Id love for this blog to help someone. This blog is for you and it wouldnt be here without you! I would love to hear from my readers about what they would like to see from this blog. so dont be afraid to email me!
I genuinely don’t know how to end this because it is already way too long and again. Not a writer. But thank you so much for reading. Writing this has gotten me so excited for future posts so please stay tuned!!!
It’s wonderful to see you working through your troubles and putting yourself out in the world. We all love you and your art. ❤️
I really look forward to seeing what you’re going to do! Your style has matured recently and you still manage to make it your own without copying others works. Good luck!
Alex you are a gem. Thank you for always being so supportive of me.
Your transparency makes your art what is it— keep doing you, girl ♥️
Thank you Jo!!! <333333
May I simply just say what a comfort to uncover somebody that genuinely understands what theyre talking about over the internet. You definitely realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people should read this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you arent more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
I need to to thank you for this good read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you book-marked to look at new things you postÖ