In the Studio with Abstract Painter Donald Elder

INSIDE+OUT Upstate NY is proud to present the next chapter in our artist spotlight series, “In the Studio With…,” a celebration of the visionaries shaping the vibrant arts landscape of the Hudson Valley. In this series, we open the doors to the workspaces, lives, and inner worlds of the region’s most compelling creatives.

Today, we step inside the studio of Donald Elder, an abstract painter whose work is driven by his emotional rapport with nature. A native of Virginia, Elder received his formal art education in New York at the Art Students League, the New York Academy of Art, and the Pratt Institute, followed by study in Paris, Florence, and Valdottavo, Italy. He has lived and worked in Woodstock for over three decades and exhibited extensively at galleries both here and abroad. He is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Pollock-Krasner Award, along with the Edward G. McDowell Grant.

The series, and this episode of “In the Studio With…” was produced in collaboration with Richard Hall and Mimi Young, founders of littlebitcreates. We invite you to journey with us into the world of Elder’s paintings, ones that reflect the awe-inspiring natural beauty and mystical light of the Hudson Valley and its captivating landscapes.

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Donald Elder: I was from Petersburg, Virginia, a little town south of Richmond. I arrived in New York City in 1969, which was a great time to be there. I had friends who had a house up in the Hudson Valley that I would visit on weekends, and my partner and I bought a weekend place up here 33 years ago. Twenty-five years ago, we made it our full-time residence. We did extensive renovations. 10 years ago, after my partner passed away, I built a painting studio on the property. Before that, I had a studio in Saugerties in the space above the Inquiring Minds Bookstore.

What inspired you to become a painter, and what was your journey?

Donald Elder: I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t want to become an artist. I started drawing at a very young age, at four or five, and haven’t stopped since. We had a painting of my grandfather in our house, which I have right here in my living room.  By 11, I was painting on canvases with my father’s house paints, and by 15, I was showing my work.

My goal was always to move to New York and study at the Art Students League. At 19, I was drafted into the army and saved as much money as I could to move to New York. I arrived at 21, got a day job for a little while in the garment district, then attended the Pratt Institute in the evenings. I moved on to study at the Art Students League and the New York Academy of Art. I was at the former for four years and received a McDowell Fellowship, which allowed me to study in Paris, and then I traveled to Greece and Portugal. I was 23 when I got my first gallery in New York, Addison Green, and, shortly thereafter, the Jack Alonzo Gallery. I also made ends meet by doing illustrations for Gourmet Magazine for about 10 years.

How would you describe your work? And what tools do you prefer to employ?

Donald Elder: I’m an abstract painter whose work is primarily based on nature. My process is to start a canvas with a few different colors and let the painting tell me where to go.  I usually work on three or four paintings at the same time, and it can take weeks or months to reach the point where the painting tells me it’s finished.

As for my tools, I use brushes, palette knives, and even my fingers sometimes. My canvases are often very thick with paint, and these tools impart a variety of textures and creative possibilities. There’s no real formula. I love to work on large canvases and am often drawn to vibrant colors.

“Mainly, it’s the solitude of painting that keeps me sane. A lot of my inspiration comes from just looking at nature and turning what I see into art.” — Donald Elder

What do you love most about your work as an artist?

Donald Elder: I love that I can get lost in my work and cut out the distractions of the world. It gives me joy to create, though it can sometimes be discouraging when it doesn’t work the way I want. Mainly, it’s the solitude of painting that keeps me sane. A lot of my inspiration comes from just looking at nature and turning what I see into art,

What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of being an artist today?

Donald Elder: The rewarding part is being able to work whenever I want to, which is most of the time. Some days I get into the studio in the morning and work until 2 or 3 pm. I might also go in later in the day and work into the night. It’s all up to me and my muse.

The challenging part is staying on top of the business side of art. I hate to have to write about and promote myself; that creates the most anxiety. The art world has changed a lot since I started. When I began, you could approach a gallery, go in and show your work to a curator, or have them visit your studio. Now everything is done online, and you need someone to make an introduction.  And it’s competitive; galleries have a stable of artists, and it can be hard to break in, especially for younger artists.

That said, I’ve been very fortunate when it comes to galleries. I have exhibited in Europe at La Galerie Du City Concorde and La Galerie Dominique Lang in Luxembourg and Galerie Kunst and Handwerk in Switzerland. In New York City, I have exhibited at Frost & Reed and Jack Alonzo, and in the Hudson Valley at Elena Zang in Shady, which is my primary gallery. I’ve made a living out of art for over 50 years.

What’s the one question you’re constantly asked about your work, and maybe a misconception about it?

Donald Elder: People always ask about my inspiration, and it is always nature. The natural world has inspired me since childhood and still does today.

What makes living in the Hudson Valley special for you?

Donald Elder: The nature. It is the source of my inspiration – the mountains, the nature trails, my little sanctuary and garden in the heart of the woods. Also, of course, the many wonderful people I’ve met who have become great friends.  There have been tremendous changes since I arrived three decades ago. Even though it’s busier, it’s retained these qualities.

Who or what inspires you?

Donald Elder: As a youngster, I was inspired by classic Europeans like Monet and Gauguin, as well as the great Hudson Valley landscape painter George Inness, and many others.  I am a huge fan of Joan Mitchell and actually lived a block away from her in New York.  I love the work of Anselm Kiefer and Cy Twombly, really any and all great artists. I could think of 100 more. I also love Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner. I’ve had the pleasure of receiving their foundation’s grant three times.

My main inspiration, and frankly my primary art education, has been going to museums.  The Metropolitan in New York is still my favorite. When I moved to NYC, I would spend every Saturday there. It’s not just the paintings, it’s all the genres – the sculpture, the ancient artifacts, etc. I can be inspired by the color I see in a painting and then can’t wait to use that in my own work.

You are now teaching at the Woodstock School of Art. How has that experience been for you?

Donald Elder: It is my first experience teaching, and it’s been an absolute joy to be around artists and art lovers of all skill levels. I’ve been teaching a two-to-three-day Abstract Landscape workshop there for about 10 years and really enjoy it. My students are everyone from professionals to those who enjoy painting and are eager to improve their skills.

What is missing in the area that you wish we had?

Donald Elder: A good art supply store in Woodstock, where I can walk in anytime and get what I need.

What do you do for fun when you’re not painting?

Donald Elder: I love to work in my garden.

What is your current state of mind?

Donald Elder: I’m happy living in my own space in my head, with my art, and being able to work any time I want.  I work for myself and paint for myself, and I must say that I really love it. I want to be healthy and productive for the years I have left.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Donald Elder: I don’t think I would need one.  I’m too realistic to consider having a superpower other than the one I already have – the ability to paint pictures that bring joy to me and others.

Follow/Connect with Don Elder via Website | Instagram