Larkin’s Garden Paintings Showcased After Nearly Twenty-Five Years | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Larkin’s Garden Paintings Showcased After Nearly Twenty-Five Years

February 25, 2024
Image
Dona Larkin

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design alum Dona Larkin is currently displaying her collection of garden paintings at the Redwood Falls Public Library.

The Minnesota-based artist attended MCAD in the early seventies and has been making a living off painting for more than fifty years. Inspired by nature, Larkin has painted traditionally and experimentally through texturizing techniques. In some of her recent paintings, Larkin has used dried, leftover paint from her palette to collage on tea bag fabric.

Larkin’s garden paintings were initially exhibited at the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul nearly twenty-five years ago. The garden paintings demonstrate her versatility of traditional and experimental painting styles. In some paintings, Larkin creates textural impressions of real leaves onto the surface of the canvas using modeling paste, creating a three-dimensional viewing experience. Imbued with light and air, the garden paintings are vignettes of moments in nature and the conservatory.

"It is such a magical place," Larkin spoke of the conservatory in an interview with West Central Tribune. "You go in there and just feel inspired."

Larkin’s garden paintings:

On display until February 29, 2024
Located at Redwood Falls Public Library (Redwood Falls, MN)

Learn More

(wctrib.com—February 21, 2024)