In the mid ’70’s, Dona began making fairly simple wood toys, and felt she was a painter on wood. When customers seemed to be collecting for themselves, rather than for children, Dona felt the incentive to make more elaborate and sculptural pieces. Toy making was the effort to make a start of a business after art school, but with time, as her work evolved, she grew most interested in form, gesture and color. However, she kept the reference to toys, mostly out of her own nostalgia to her old childhood objects. She wanted to keep a sense of the lighthearted and playfulness .

Dona’s subject matter is, and was always animal related. She attempts to acknowledge the relationship we have to them and encourage some suggestion of a narrative. Also, a great interest is Egyptian mythology, and she hopes to suggest a spiritual feel in the Journey and Moon Boat pieces.

She cuts and carves on the band saw, using mostly poplar and cedar. Further refinement is done with a rotary carver, and belt sander. Paint is layered; she uses house paint, acrylics, and some have reflective or metallic qualities.

Dona has a degree in sculpture from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia.