Donna Streisfeld

Donna Streisfeld developed a passion for pastel painting that was born out of the Pandemic. "I have always enjoyed art and began painting in watercolor after a trip to Monet's home and gardens in Giverny in 2014. I had been working as a therapeutic harpist at a local hospital when my job was put on hold due to the Pandemic. I had taken a couple of pastel classes given in community art centers and enjoyed working with them. I then signed up for an online course with pastel artist Alain Picard, a few weeks before the pandemic started and my hospital job temporarily ended. That was when I truly fell in love with soft pastels! I had the opportunity to paint every day for the next two and a half years. I love to create art from my travels in life to share with others."
Donna's artwork has been exhibited in local juried shows within the Philadelphia area. She has won an award from Philadelphia Pastel Society in a 2021 juried pastel exhibition. She is currently a member of the Philadelphia Pastel Society, an Associate Member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), a full member of Delaware Valley Art League, an associate member of the American Impressionist Society, an associate member of the Philadelphia Water Color Society, and a Signature member of the Degas Pastel Society. Donna has taken online classes with Alain Picard, Tara Will, Susan Kuznitsky, Lana Ballot, Jeanne Rosier Smith, Eve Miller, others. She has taken workshops with Albert Handell, Jacob Aguiar, Michael Chesley Johnson, Corey Pitkin, Sandra Burshell, Truman Hosner, Tony Allain, Dawn Emerson, Margaret Dyer, Daniel Keys, and other eminent pastelists.

Pastel painting of a room with a window, furniture and a dog on a bed.

Summer Dreaming, pastel on paper, 11" x 14" Available

Impressionistic pastel painting of a waterfall cascading over dark rocks, with green foliage at the top right and a visible artist signature in the lower left corner.

Impressionistic pastel painting of a waterfall cascading over dark rocks, with green foliage at the top right and a visible artist signature in the lower left corner.

Mt. Pisgah Falls, pastel on paper, 12" x 9" Available

An impressionistic painting of a seated woman in a pale dress, rendered in soft pink, gray, brown, and white tones, with a dark cabinet and a framed picture in the background.

An impressionistic painting of a seated woman in a pale dress, rendered in soft pink, gray, brown, and white tones, with a dark cabinet and a framed picture in the background.

Waiting, pastel on paper, 14" x 11" Available

An impressionistic painting of a person walking two dogs on a leash in an outdoor urban setting, with a yellow wall, greenery, and a shopping bag visible.

An impressionistic painting of a person walking two dogs on a leash in an outdoor urban setting, with a yellow wall, greenery, and a shopping bag visible.

Hurried Walk, pastel on paper, 14" x 12" Available

An impressionistic pastel painting of a cozy interior room with a round wooden table, two dark chairs, a window with yellow light, and a small figurine on the floor. The artwork features expressive brushstrokes in warm yellows, browns, creams, and soft blues, signed 'Schmid' in the lower right corner.

An impressionistic pastel painting of a cozy interior room with a round wooden table, two dark chairs, a window with yellow light, and a small figurine on the floor. The artwork features expressive brushstrokes in warm yellows, browns, creams, and soft blues, signed 'Schmid' in the lower right corner.

Breakfast Nook and Poodle, pastel on paper, 12" x 9" Available

Impressionist landscape painting depicting a rocky shoreline with blue water, green and yellow vegetation, and dark trees under a pale sky.

Impressionist landscape painting depicting a rocky shoreline with blue water, green and yellow vegetation, and dark trees under a pale sky.

Maine Downeast, pastel on paper, 11" x 14" Available