BIOGRAPHY

Kathryn Donatelli was born in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1947. The first born of twelve children, Kathryn graduated from DuCret School of Art in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1969 with a 3 year Certificate in Commercial Art. From 1975 to 1998 she took private classes in plein air landscape, life drawing, advanced color theory, accessing mastery in drawing and portrait painting. She worked as a commercial artist for 15 years, with 10 years experience as a Creative Director for Magazine Publications from 1980 to 1990.

Relocating to Los Angeles Kathryn began a new career in 1991 as a self employed Mural painter and Portrait artist. She has designed, painted and installed over a dozen Private, Corporate and Public murals. Her portraits have shown in 7 juried exhibitions in Los Angeles, New Jersey and New York City.  Her selected client list of portrait commissions include: The Litton Coporation; Jo Marie Payton; Glynn Turman; Dick O’Neill; and David and Elaine Marmel.

The most notable of her Corporate Murals was a commission to paint a 258 foot long mural for the Metropolitan Water District construction fence in 1996. The project entitled, "The Story of Water" involved: designing the mural; teaching and directing 30 Senior art students from Woodrow Wilson High School in East L.A; and participating in the painting of the panels. The panels were displayed publicly for two years and have been stored for future permanent installation at a Water District Visitor Center. Kathryn was awarded an honorary brass plaque at a special dedication ceremony in 1997.

The first public mural that Donatelli was commissioned to paint came from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. A one thousand square foot mural depicting scenes such as the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima, the Vietnam Memorial, Desert Storm, a Navel Academy drill exercise and fireman raising the flag at the site of the World Trade Center, among others, was designed and painted by Kathryn and 13 inmates that assisted her. The site of the mural is inside of the Lynwood County Jail in one of the modules that housed up to 200 inmates, specifically Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Sheriff Baca presented Kathryn with a hand calligraphied certificate from the Sheriff’s Department recognizing her attention to detail and inspiring and uplifting incarcerated Veterans.