Fine Artists of Yale: John Donovan John Donovan ‘24 creates works characterized by rich natural tones and sharp lines, while playing with the role of light and experimenting with multiple mediums, exploring techniques, the study and history of art, his own identity, and familial love. Words by Dorothea Robertson. Art by John Donovan.
John Donovan allows his love for others and for art to guide his creative process, and in the process, produces impressive works that represent complex emotions.
Inspired by everything from code and color theory to a multi-generational love of art, John Donovan ’24 creates works characterized by rich natural tones and sharp lines, while playing with the role of light and experimenting with multiple mediums.
“Right now I am working on a re-interpretation of a photograph my father took in the 80’s in charcoal; a graphic novel I have been writing and developing this summer based on a genetics class I took in my first year; and a project to collect, photograph, digitize, and create a website with a biography and analysis of the complete works by my sister, Katie Donovan,” Donovan told the News.
Donovan is a second-semester sophomore in Benjamin Franklin college, planning to double-major in Art and History of Art. He took a gap semester during the height of COVID-19, during which he worked with wood carving and paintings on wood.
Born to a family of artists, Donovan finds inspiration and motivation from relationships with his loved ones.
“My mother is an artist and art teacher, and she exposed her students, my friends, and me to a variety of media and ways of thinking about art from many cultures. My [older] sister was an artist as well, and she made the most authentic and beautiful artwork I have ever seen, full of vibrancy and happiness,” said Donovan.
Donovan grew up in Stowe, Massachusetts with two sisters. His oldest sister, Katie Donovan, unexpectedly passed away last year.
In an effort to honor his sister as an artist and member of the deaf community, Donovan spent four months photographing, digitizing, and uploading all 1380 of her works to a website he developed, along with a biography and analyses of the works. He then presented the finished project to the ASL community at Yale on Monday, November 28, 2022.
“She taught me the value of love and kindness more profoundly than anyone. To help preserve her art and legacy as an artist gives me great pride. Like a garden of flowers, Katie’s artworks will astound by their combined effect and provide deep contemplation individually. To be that garden’s caretaker has been my proudest honor,” Donovan wrote.
His grandmother’s career as an art history teacher also shapes Donovan’s work. He explained that studying art history informs how he makes and experiences art.
“John has an exceptional background in drawing, yet I remain most impressed that he has embraced each assignment as an opportunity to innovate and challenge his practice,” Rachelle Dang, a critic at the Yale School of Art, wrote to the News, “John’s drawings show a commitment to artistic vision and an openness to discovery and experimentation.”
At Yale, Donovan also writes and makes graphics for The Record.
Lizzie Conklin ‘25, art director for the Record, wrote to the News that, while Donovan is new to The Record, he has become a “borderline prolific contributor.”
“He churns out funny piece after funny piece, infusing each with his innate artistic brilliance, and (hopefully) he won't slow down,” Conklin wrote. “He's never the loudest voice in the room—he deliberately includes everyone around him—but he's a powerhouse on paper. When he draws, you get to see the witty, sharp John behind the kind and caring one who asks you how your classes are on Prospect Street.”
Collectively, Donovan’s works show a passionate artist traversing and exploring techniques, the study and history of art, his own identity, and familial love.
“My creative process varies for every piece, but here are a few things I like to do generally:
I read as much as I can, whether books about art, artists, or anything that interests me. This summer, I read all about different color theories to develop a process that works well for me, including using code and theory to achieve the richest and most interesting colors,” Donovan wrote.