Depending on her mood on a particular day, Burgess can be found painting a duck, a beach cottage, a woman relaxing, a marine scene, a floral design or a cutting-edge abstract piece.

 

Although watercolor is her focus, Burgess does not discriminate against other mediums.

 

“I currently paint in watercolor, acrylic, water-based oils and pastel,” she said. “I find the process of experimenting and combining different techniques adds interest and keeps me challenged and stimulated.”

 

For the good or for the bad, Burgess has not found her niche. She wants to do it all.

 

“I haven’t decided what I want to be when I grow up. Through the years in my profession I have talked to different marketing consultants and they have always told me the same thing – you need to decide what it is that you do and do that,” she said. “How boring is that? I would rather work at Dillard’s and spray perfume on people when they walk in the doors.”

 

Burgess’ inability to narrow down her focus has not prevented her from becoming a successful and well-known artist in the local art community. Her talents have grown in the public eye for the past 20 years.

 

She has owned galleries in Destin and Seaside. She currently owns a gallery at The Market Shops at Sandestin, which has been open for eight years.

 

Donna Burgess’s gallery is nestled among the rare stores that make up the Market Shops at Sandestin. She has many visitors to her gallery – from tourists to locals.

 

“These are all independently owned stores that have unique products that you can’t just get anywhere,” Burgess said. “We are the only place here that has that uniqueness. You can’t get it in Atlanta or down the street.”

 

Burgess loves her location. She spent many years trying to get where she is today and does not plan to give it up.

 

Burgess got her first taste for the Market Shops in 1990 when she was invited to the Sandestin Wine Festival. She set up a tent and rented a room at the Sandestin Resort. Eight years ago she made the big step.

 

“It is kind of like the little girl looking into the candy store,” she said. “Before I was here, I always wanted to be here.”

 

Since each piece that Burgess creates is so different, it can sometimes puzzle the people coming into her gallery.

 

“What everyone asks when they walk into this gallery is – how many artists are represented here? It is just me. I have been trying through the years to narrow it down, but I just haven’t been able to.” Burgess said. “I don’t want to let any of it go. I don’t want to let go of any of my options. I’m inspired by totally different things all the time.”

 

For six years, The Market Shops at Sandestin and Silver Sands Factory Stores have partnered on the official Autumn Tides print.

 

“We partner really well with the Market Shops. It keeps people circulating. We try to support each other and that keeps the clientele circulating. There is no competition there.”

 

Each year, Burgess creates a new autumn-themed print to give out to Silver Sands shoppers who spend a set amount of money in the outlet stores. Shoppers return every year to collect these prints.

 

In conjunction, Burgess hosts two artist receptions in October to meet art enthusiasts and to personally autograph each of their prints.

 

“I try to give every single person the same attention whether they have six originals or two prints,” she said. “The fact that the artwork is that important to them that they want to come and meet me and tell me about it – when they got it, where it hangs, why they got it.”

 

Burgess was recently chosen by the Walton County Tourist Development Council to be the 2008 Artist of the Year.

 

As Artist of the Year, Burgess is guaranteed commissioned artwork and is featured throughout the year in TDC promotions. The commissioned piece is used in the TDC’s Art in Public Places program and is displayed in a public space within Walton County.

 

“I think it’s a wonderful program,” Burgess said. “Instead of going to a gallery or museum, it lets people from all walks of life going into the fire station, the chamber of commerce, or other public place, get the benefit of being able to see original works of art indoors. I really support that program.”

 

The competition was steep and the judging intense, but Burgess still came out on top.

 

“It was a very distinguished panel of jurors. I was really impressed with that – gallery owners, local business people, people involved with art and business and civic organizations.”

 

Burgess is all over the place with her art. Between Autumn Tides and being the 2008 Artist of the Year, it is amazing that she has any time left to do anything. However, Burgess is making the time.

 

For one weekend of every month, Burgess hosts a three-day workshop for aspiring artists from all over the Florida Panhandle as well as some bordering states.

 

“This is the most fun, most rewarding thing I am doing right now,” Burgess said. “I love it. I am just getting wonderful results. You just can’t believe what you can accomplish in a three-day period.”

 

Burgess is also about to embark on a new business venture with Lovelace Interiors. She will be the in-house artist working on more cutting-edge and contemporary pieces.

 

“What I have found through the years is that I want to do everything on the earth that there is possible to do.” Burgess said. “I am a Gemini and have a split personality, so this is working out beautifully for me.”

 

Burgess’ work can be found in Hilton hotels, Embassy Suites, McDonald’s, the Westinghouse Corp., Seaside Development Corp., and in the collections of jazz musician Herbie Mann and former President George Bush.

 

For more information on Donna Burgess and her gallery, visit http://www.artzbydonnaburgess.com. She is typically at her Sandestin gallery on Wednesdays and can be reached at (850) 837-1887. You can also speak to the gallery manager, Sandra.