Donna Olson, of Designs by Donna, has been an artist for 40 years. Olson was a student of Alfred University College of Art and Design in NY and was a teacher for many years. She owned her own shop and art studio in Massachusetts, which she had opened upon her retirement at age 62, before moving to Waxhaw, NC three years ago. Olson explains, “My inspiration was a dream I had to do my artwork and I started the designs business to show my students you can have a dream and follow it no matter how old you are.

My name idea came from the fact that I do all kinds of art work and mediums and if people cannot find what they want, I will design a personal, original and custom work of art.” She met Lisa Vigil, of Provisions Waxhaw, when her son started talking to Vigil about his mom’s original hand painted watercolor cards. Olson says she enjoys sharing her art work with the community. “Art is a wonderful expression of ourselves and it is never too early to start a child or too late for an adult to enjoy the creative process of any art form.”