Kathryn Donatelli has a biography that reads like a non-fiction novel. There is very little that she has not accomplished with her art in her 72 years, the majority of which did not begin until 1986. Kathryn’s heart and soul are focused on creativity and have been since she was 12 years old. Portraits, still life, landscape, murals and commissioned work keep Kathryn in high demand.

 

Born in New Jersey in 1947, Donatelli was the oldest of 12 children, all of whom were very artistic. She credits her father for never putting limits on their abilities or disabilities. You see, when Katheryn was born, the doctor delivered the news to her parents that she would never walk. Born without a set of feet, the medical community was soon proven wrong.  Kathryn Donatelli is a very determined person.

She received a scholarship for a three-year program in Industrial Arts at the DuCret School of Art and was on her way to unleashing her creativity. Her ability for design and color soon placed her in a top position at a publishing firm.

After nearly 20 years as a Creative Director for retail publications, Donatelli moved to Los Angeles. It did not take long for her to see the endless potential of her skills. She continued her education through public and private training and found a fondness for faces and the story that their expressions told. She has been commissioned to paint portraits for prominent families like Lawrence Welk, Jr and Dick O’Neill of the “Cagney and Lacy” television series.

One commissioned project, in particular, caught my eye in showing the magnitude of Donatelli’s demeanor and artistic skills. 1997, The Metropolitan Water District’s “The Story of Water” which was displayed around the outside of the current location for two years while the new headquarters building was being constructed.

Ms. Donatelli worked with 25 senior art students from the Woodrow Wilson High School. The mural was 285 feet long and took 5 months to complete and was featured on national television and published in the Los Angeles Times.  Patience, perseverance and skill are certainly part of Kathryn’s ability to maintain stardom.

When not working on a commissioned portrait or mural, Kathryn is taking part in exhibitions and juried shows. She is an active member of the California Art League and an Associate Artist of the California Art Club.

Kathryn resides in the Los Angeles area and is a huge asset to the artistic community. To discover more, see: https://kathryndonatelli.com  or https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-15-me-18845-story.html or http://www.publicartinla.com/UnionStation/storyofwater/