Meet Ingrid Donaldson: Metalsmith, Sculptor, Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ingrid Donaldson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ingrid, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Determination. It is an important skill to learn and then you must continue to grow it. Determination when challenges appear is a constant educational opportunity. Learning to adapt to the challenges and adapting to a evey constant changing business environment is one of the many keys to success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Leaving the corporate world in 1995, I decided to open up my own company. Through hard work, perseverance, and determination; I have expanded my company, brand, and artwork to include a variety of mediums, techniques, and skills. I have a love for learning and completed an MFA in 2014. Not for the faint of heart, returning as an adult to ASU, it was probably one of the hardest challenges I’ve achieved. I learned so much as an artist and a person throughout the MFA process and experienced extensive growth. I was even invited to speak about my work at the University of Notre Dame. I create jewelry and small scale sculpture predominantly, but my passion is the study of Bioremediation. Exploring this topic has helped me to understand the need for societies, and the world to use these forms of nature in order to remove toxins from the environment.  

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Imagine spending the day amongst tall cool pines, meandering streams, and the blue sky overhead. Trekking “off the beaten path” in the forests of Northern Arizona with my family and dogs is my happy place. Packing a light lunch in a backpack with a baguette of freshly baked French bread, Gouda cheese, tomatoes, salami, and let’s not forget some fresh strawberries. It’s Picnic time. Find a rock to sit on and just eat, breathe, and view what nature has to offer. Walking for the day through nature; the air filled with the sounds of animals, the smell of the flowers and pines, is the best way for me to clear my head. I call this “changing my latidude”. It is an important way for me to keep my creative ideas flowing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family. Husband: Bill Donaldosn Son: Christian Donaldson Daughter & Her Husband: Jessie & Andrew King I could not have achieved all that I have without the support, care, and motivation of my family. They always help to keep my grounded and talk me off the ledge.

Website: www.theblinkgallery.com
Instagram: blinkgalleryaz
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingriddonaldson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.donaldson
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blink-gallery-scottsdale

Image Credits
Ingrid Donaldson