In the Lowcountry art scene, where landscapes and coastal wildlife often dominate the canvas, Donna Varner offers a refreshing departure into the abstract. A Hilton Head Island resident since 2004, Varner has traded the structured world of academia and business for a creative path defined by curiosity, texture, and a relentless pursuit of the question: “What if?”
From the Boardroom to the Studio
Varner’s journey to the easel is as layered as her paintings. Holding both an MBA and a PhD from Ohio State University, her early professional life was rooted in retail merchandising and high-level academia in Columbus, Ohio. However, the move to South Carolina marked a pivotal shift from the analytical to the expressive.
What began as an exploration of photography eventually evolved into a sophisticated mixed-media practice. Today, her work stands as a testament to the idea that a “second act” can be just as rigorous and intellectually stimulating as the first.
The “What If?” Philosophy
Varner describes her process as experimental in nature. Rather than starting with a predetermined destination, she enters her studio to engage in “artistic play.”
- Experimental Mindset: Her work is driven by trial and error, moving through “labyrinths” of color and medium that rarely exit where they began.
- A Living Dialogue: For Varner, the process is a conversation. The artist and the medium react to one another in real-time, creating a deep history within the piece.
- Depth and Texture: By applying layer upon layer of various mediums, she achieves a tactile quality that invites the viewer to look closer.
“The more you look, the more you see. My aim is to create something that is unique, pleasing to the eye, and engaging.” — Donna Varner
In “See You in Paris,” Donna Varner masterfully executes her “what if?” philosophy through a high-energy juxtaposition of vibrant sunshine yellows, deep teals, and grounding greys. The piece is a tactile playground of mixed media, where structured elements like vertical striations and grid patterns collide with spontaneous, gestural swirls of light blue paint that provide a sense of rhythmic movement. True to her cerebral intent, the work rewards patient observation by revealing “hidden” narrative layers: the ghostly, sketched silhouette of the Eiffel Tower and the stark typography of an eye chart fragment emerge from the background like memories surfacing through time. This complex layering of color and symbol creates a rich, archaeological depth that successfully invites the viewer into the “labyrinth” of her process, turning a nonrepresentational space into a deeply personal field of contemplation.
A Cerebral Visual Experience
Varner’s originals are nonrepresentational, meaning they do not attempt to depict an external reality. Instead, they focus on the intrinsic values of art: form, color, and texture. This “cerebral” approach challenges the viewer to find their own meaning within the visual complexity. The results are vibrant, colorful compositions that reward contemplation and reveal new details upon every viewing.
Where to Experience Donna Varner’s Work
Donna Varner is an active member of the local arts community, having exhibited at ArtFields in Lake City and with groups such as Les Bonnes Artistes and the Art Beyond Tradition Group.
You can currently find her work at two of the region’s premier galleries:
In Bluffton: Pluff Mudd Art
Located in the heart of the historic district, this gallery showcases Varner’s work amidst a collection of fine local craftsmanship.
- Address: 27 Calhoun Street, Bluffton, SC 29910
- Phone: 843.757.5590
On Hilton Head: Art League of Hilton Head
A cornerstone of the island’s cultural life, the Art League features Varner’s abstract originals in a professional gallery setting.
- Address: 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Phone: 843.681.5060
Private Showings
For collectors looking for a more personal look at her portfolio, Donna Varner maintains a studio on Hilton Head Island available by appointment.
- Studio Location: 31D Hunter Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
- Contact: donnavarnerart@gmail.com