Meet Donna McCullough | Artist/Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Donna McCullough and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donna, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was blessed to have come from a very creative family so it was second nature to become an artist. My great grandmother, grandmother and mother did various artistic pursuits from needlework, china painting, and painting. My dad was a carpenter. My sister is a painter and taught at the University level.

I grew up around art in the home and visiting art museums. I was constantly sketching in my notebooks at school.

We were also surrounded by nature which is so inspiring! There were beautiful flowers blooming year round and I have continued that tradition. My sister and I would lay in the grass gazing up at the clouds and seeing wondrous images in the shapes.

My first career choice as a kid though was to be jockey which really wasn’t very practical!
Horses are still very inspirational and a big part of my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I can honestly say that I woke one day with a burning desire to learn welding! I am sure that work by Degas and Deborah Butterfield influenced that desire. I took the bold step of going part time at my graphic design job so that I could pursue welding and steel sculpture. It changed my life!

My original series grew from my experience as a woman in the work place. I was expressing my pent up frustrations of wanting to fly but feeling tethered in place. My original idea came to me while on the metro, a small pencil sketch. It became the “Beneath the Surface” series — the first time I began using fashion as my creative vehicle for exploring the roller coaster of life. It can be viewed as armor, costume, facade, veil and more. I feel that each viewer brings their own interpretation.

My inspiration arose from contemplating the dichotomy between the perception of women as fragile, delicate creatures, and the reality that most women are defined by resiliency and steely resolve. My work is about women and culture – and of course women in my life. I employ a juxtaposition of extremes such as lightness and gravity, suppleness and intransigence, to convey feminine sensibilities.

Crafted of steel and embellished with flourishes of wire mesh, screening, cut-outs and bits of found objects, the dresses are at once both elegant and imposing. I use steel and various found metals including tin cans and vintage oil cans. Nearly all of the materials I use are recycled. I like the duplicitous nature of steel which can be manipulated to appear feminine and soft while actually maintaining its strength and rigidity—an expression in contrasts and complements. Through the dresses, I am combining opposites to activate harmonious and ethereal beauty.

I also sculpt animals. I found that taking a break between the dress series to work on my horses, dogs or chickens would revitalize my spirit refresh my creativity.

My work has grown and changed over the years. I feel that it has become softer and more refined. I am interested in creating beauty, joy and wonder, of leaving the viewer in a better place after they have seen my work.

I think you need to believe in yourself and what you do, don’t compare yourself to others, celebrate their success which opens the door for you. As a friend once told me, there is room for everyone at the table.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would plan a day of riding horses at Morgan Run Park or one of the other local state parks. Riding is so fun and social. No better time to catch up while enjoying nature and our horses. Then plan on lunch at Rare Opportunity Bakery. Back home we’d fix a simple dinner at home and sit outside on the hill overlooking Morgan Run, listening to the frogs and watching the night sky. A trek into DC to visit museums is a must. We are so lucky to have a plethora of great museums here. Another day would be to visit Baltimore and the BMA and of course the Visionary Museum. A must see!
Find a great Indian or Thai restaurant and it’s heaven!
And maybe a nice hike or a dip in the steam depending on the weather.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people deserve a shout out. First would be my mom, Betty McCullough. It was through her that we were exposed to so much art at home, museum and other outings.
Mrs. Schimpf and Mr. Willis, teachers in high school were very supportive and encouraging.
Degas and Deborah Butterfield were huge influences to my jump from 2D work to 3D sculpture.
Dottie Ayers, who was a guiding light in my initial working years.
The Washington Sculptors Group helped introduce me to exhibiting my work.
And, of course the support of my friends Joan, Ruth, Mark, Mary Ann and so many others.

Website: https://www.mcculloughstudio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnamccullough.sculptor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcculloughsculpture

Other: https://www.morpethcontemporary.com/donna-mccullough https://www.donnamccullough.com

Image Credits
Photos by Walter Calahan, Morpeth Contemporary & Donna McCullough