artist statement 
My artwork is a collection of personal thoughts and feelings about mental, social, political, and environmental issues in our modern-day society. I am strongly influenced by current events and conceptual ideas. Artists like Miles Johnston and Rene Magritte have inspired my more surreal self-portraits. Portraiture has always been a prime focus of mine, and now I am incorporating my own experiences into the subject matter. 

Currently, my body of work attempts to confront the uncomfortable reality of fragile mental health. I believe this is more important than ever to address, considering we are living through a pandemic. Being real about what is going on in our minds is crucial to living a happy and healthy life. Since my drawings depict feelings or states of mind I have experienced, I chose to draw myself in them. These self-portraits are made digitally, which gives me endless creative ability. I can add elements into my art and piece things together that might not have been possible traditionally. This has made a huge impact on my process and capability to communicate my ideas.

My goal is to make art that creates conversation – even if it is an internal one. Talking about our mental health is not always easy. This work is meant to be a tool for navigating those tough conversations. Hopefully, it will also help those who struggle feel less alone.

bio
Danika Donatti is an artist from Owensville, Missouri. She currently resides in Saint Louis, Missouri and attends University of Missouri - Saint Louis (UMSL). In 2018, she received her Associate of Fine Arts degree at East Central College in Union, Missouri and is presently working to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts at UMSL. Her expected graduation date is December 2021. Donatti’s artwork has been exhibited at East Central College, the 20th annual Postcards from the Edge fundraiser in New York, and now at UMSL.

Her collection of drawings are both digital and traditional and combine portraiture with various conceptual ideas. The main objective is to tell a story and encourage or create new ways of thinking for those who view her work. With this passion for storytelling, she aspires to become a book illustrator in the future.

contact information
Instagram: @dkmd_art/