Lives Lived July 7-09, Donna Surprenant
Donna was buried with an artist's paintbrush in her hands and a crucifix - both at her own request.
The urge to paint awakened in Donna in childhood. She obtained a degree in fine arts at the University of New Hampshire, then did art-related work for a few years in the United States. In 1981, she came to Madonna House in Combermere, Ont., a Roman Catholic community of consecrated laymen, laywomen and priests. She was drawn to community life and prayer. Here she could fulfill both callings God had placed in her heart.
"The Madonna House way of life mingles a rich experience of reflection and activity, giving me a unique environment within which to paint," Donna was quoted as saying. "I strive to paint the ordinary with reverence so that its hidden interior beauty shines out, and to paint the human face to reveal beauty, joy, suffering, peace, longing and destiny of the human soul."
Among Donna's prize-winning paintings was a portrait, Snow Light , described this way by juror Odon Wagner: "This face bears the history of a life lived; its lines and contours divulge an unparalleled emotional depth. If eyes are indeed windows onto the soul, then Snow Light is triumphant." It was this type of portraiture that Donna began seeing herself called to at the time she was diagnosed with cancer, about nine months before her death.
Donna's love for the great masters of light throughout the centuries drew her to museums across the country and throughout Europe. The painter Vermeer was a major influence on her work. The fact that her studio was located in a rural area presented a challenge, as it was much more time-consuming to attend art workshops, contact exhibitors and enter competitions. Yet she had several solo exhibits, including a recent one at Abbozzo Gallery in Oakville, Ont., where all her entries sold. Her paintings were also shown in numerous group exhibits across the continent.
Donna gave the proceeds from sales of her paintings to the poor in several parts of the world. She sponsored a needy child in the Philippines. She was generous in using her talents in ordinary ways. She would notice someone who looked a bit "down" and offer to style their hair - and then continue to give them regular haircuts, often on her free time. An excellent cook, she often volunteered to prepare Sunday dinner for the community of 50 people with whom she lived.
The two great passions of Donna's life were art and God. She saw beauty in creation - even in ordinary things - and her art gave her an outlet to express that beauty.
Marian Heiberger is Donna's friend and a member of Madonna House.