Donna Brunet

artist statement

Despite an interest in both insects and photography since childhood, I had never combined the two until completing a research project on butterfly gardens. As part of the project, I taught approximately 60 Boone County residents to identify butterflies in their yards. The easiest way to get copyright-free photographs to give the volunteers was to take them myself.

Excited by my first photographs, I quickly fell in love with photographing insects and about a year after buying my first digital SLR, I quit my job to concentrate on photography. With an almost pathological need to be outside anytime the sun is shining, the lifestyle of a free-lance wildlife photographer is perfect for me. Is there really anything better than spending a day at work sitting near a Purple Martin house while watching dragonflies zip around a sun-lit pond?

Most people are unaware of the amazing interactions between species occurring right in their own backyards. In an effort to raise awareness, I've put together a dozen solo exhibits around the state. Several of my images are on permanent exhibit panels at state and city parks. I am currently under contract to provide text and images for a new butterfly and moth field guide to be published by the Missouri Department of Conservation in 2011.

I hope my images move viewers to look more closely at wildlife living in their yards and neighborhoods and inspire individuals to improve the habitat in their yards for insects.

Donna Brunet | CAL Online Artist Village | Columbia Art League
copyright © Donna Brunet + CAL