Artist Statement

  I made the majority of these drawings while I was deployed to Afghanistan in the National Guard.  I was in my final year of grad school when I was called up, and it was pretty hard on me, because up to that point I didn't take being a soldier that seriously.  I tried to keep some perspective on my situation by making this work.  The work I have made since I have been home has been mostly about adjusting back to a normal life.

  Aug 19 2009.  I added a couple of new drawings.  My process has changed from trying to think of something to draw, to letting the drawing come through me by giving attention to the creative part of me and putting all my energy into the drawing while I am making it.  I have given up on rational materialism, and now see drawing as a spiritual practice.

Artist Bio / CV
William Donovan
474 Brooklyn Blvd, Brightwaters, NY 11718
(631) 617-9434
donovan.bill@gmail.com 
Educational Summary
M.F.A.     2006 Painting        University of Iowa, Iowa City IA
Professional Experience
2008 – 2007            Adjunct Drawing Instructor, Adelphi University, Garden City and Manhattan, NY 
Fellowships
2001 –  2003        University of Iowa Arts Fellowship
Exhibition Record
2009
Paintallica - Bark Savages, Country Club Projects, Los Angeles CA
Human Side of War, United Theological Seminary, Minneapolis MN
Sketchbook Project, Art House Co-op Gallery, Atlanta GA, Brooklyn NY
One plus One’s a crowd (Uno más uno, multitud), Domestico, Madrid Spain
BIN Paintallica, Seed Collective, AVA Center, Chattanooga TN
2008
Jamie Boling and Bill Donovan, Transmission Gallery, Richmond VA
Paintallica, T:BA 08, Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, Portland OR
Portraits, Hallway Bathroom Gallery, San Francisco CA
2007
The Word Made Fresh, Transmission Gallery, Richmond VA
2006
Paintallica, Western Exhibitions Gallery, Chicago, IL
MFA Thesis Show, University of Iowa Art Museum, I.C., IA
Bibliography
Skoglund, Sandy; “Texas National 2002,” Exhibition Catalog
Donovan, Laurie; “Interview,” www.zinearcade.com, June 2007
Johnston, Andrew; “Feature Article: Bill Donovan,” Zinearcade No.1, November 2007
Publications
“How to Draw Pictures in Kandahar, Pretext No. 1,” Self Published, June 2007
Visiting Artist/Lecturer
2007 Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Memberships
Open Directory Project, Volunteer Editor for Arts/Weblogs section
Websites
http://donovan.art.googlepages.com
http://www.inkstainedhands.com
Military Awards
2005        Combat Infantryman's Badge