UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lightning Rod Gallery is pleased to present new paintings and drawings by well-known Lake County artist Tamsen Donner.  

The show, entitled “ Animals Like Us,” continues Donner's recognition of, and affinity for, the dignity, humor, and mystery of the animal kingdom, among whom we number.

“We’re all part of the natural order,” Donner said. “It’s a dangerous belief that humans are at the top of some hierarchy.”

A California native, Donner traveled the world with her family as a child, spending time in Mexico, England, France and Italy, as well as Texas, Vermont and New York.

She attended various art schools in some of those places, earning her bachelor's degree at the University of Texas.

Always an independent thinker, she balances her knowledge of the accepted art canon with her own personal list of influences: Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Marisot, Caillebotte, Diebenkorn and Bischoff.

Widely shown in galleries in California and abroad, Donner’s paintings and drawings are at once evocative and whimsical.

She paints with oil on board, layering the paint in a process driven technique that is fresh and painterly.

She also is a master of the quick ink sketch, adding watercolor sparingly but to great affect in a series of small drawings.

Donner will be at the gallery for a reception from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 19. Stop by to see the work and meet her.

“Animals Like Us” will be up from May 19 to July 19.

Lightning Rod Gallery is located at 9475A Main St., Upper Lake.

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call Susan Saunders at 707-275-8018 or 415-254-1846, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., like the gallery on Facebook or check out the gallery at www.lightningrodgallery.tumblr.com .