DONNA TORRES IS pictured here working on some of her nature and landscape photography. Although she photographs all sorts of landscapes and nature, Torres’ favorite subject to photograph is the dragonfly. Her photography book, Dance of the Dragonfly, features her landscape and dragonfly photography with her poetry. The end of the book contains a Myths & Legends section that discusses what dragonflies mean across different cultures. An artist reception will showcase Torres’ jewelry and photography Wed., July 24, 6-8 p.m., at Mill Creek Pub, 1710 SW 9th Ave., Battle Ground.
ASIDE FROM HER dragonfly and nature photography, Donna Torres also began creating Dance of the Dragonfly fine jewelry using Swarovski crystals, which are high-quality Austrian crystals. Torres began making this jewelry after she wrote her book and wanted to wear something with a dragonfly on her person because of the dragonflies’ meaning to her. Torres’ brand new collection of jewelry, Dragonflies Across the Sand and Sea Collection, will be introduced at the July 24 artist reception.
Although 54-year-old Donna Torres has been through many hardships in her life - divorce, car accidents and loss - the Brush Prairie resident has not let that stop her from pursuing her dreams. In fact, those hardships are part of what push and inspire her today.
After spending several years maneuvering through life’s obstacles, Torres found comfort in several hobbies, writing, photography, nature and making jewelry. She has since pursued those passions and they have become a large part of her life.
An artist reception will showcase Torres’ jewelry and photography Wed., July 24, 6-8 p.m., at Mill Creek Pub, 1710 SW 9th Ave., Battle Ground. There will be complimentary light appetizers and the event will feature a taste of area wines. There is a recommended donation of $15 per person or $25 per couple, which includes two tasting tickets per person. This event will benefit the YWCA and the Battle Ground Rotary Club’s area programs.
Attendees will get a chance to meet Torres and talk with her about her photography book, Dance of the Dragonfly, and her Dance of the Dragonfly-inspired artwork and jewelry.
As a child growing up in a small farming town in northern Ohio, Torres has always loved photography, animals and writing. She said she has also always been artistic in that she loves to make things, from food to jewelry. After meeting her second husband about 10 years ago and getting married, Torres thought she had the fairy tale life, complete with a good job, a beautiful home and her three children from her first marriage. However, her seemingly-perfect life was quickly turned upside down by several traumatic events, including two bad car accidents only six months apart that caused her medical issues and a messy divorce.
Torres felt like she had lost just about everything – financial stability, her home and the ability to work due to complications from her car accidents. She said her life at that time felt very dim at best and withdrew from everything, even her friends.
However, unbeknown to Torres, something positive was about to come out of her sorrow.
“During my times of reflection and sorrow, I spent a lot of time thinking about where my life goes from here,” Torres said. “Fascinated by these creatures (the dragonflies) as I spent many hours at a friend’s private pond daily to photograph nature, I began to research and learn about them, which fascinated me even more. I began to associate the change coming over me to like that of the dragonfly.”
As she sat daily concentrating on perfecting her photography skills of the dragonfly, Torres said she began to write and the result was her book, Dance of the Dragonfly. The book is suitable for all ages and features her landscape photography and dragonfly photography with her poetry. The end of the book contains a Myths & Legends section that discusses what dragonflies mean across different cultures.
“Along my journey to find myself again, I found that life is a magic dance, and the dragonfly teaches us to enjoy the dance,” Torres said. “We can find courage and strength from devastation and the dramatic events in our lives that set out to destroy us. The dragonfly has taught me this and has inspired me to create and be the person I was born to be and I’d like to say without fear, but I am still afraid, am still learning how to dance without care of what anyone thinks.”
Aside from her dragonfly and nature photography, Torres also began creating Dance of the Dragonfly fine jewelry using Swarovski crystals, which are high-quality Austrian crystals. After writing her book, Torres said she wanted to wear something with a dragonfly on her person, perhaps jewelry, because of the dragonflies’ meaning to her. However, she said she couldn’t find anything that she liked.
“Most pieces of jewelry that I found made the dragonfly seem to look like just plain bugs,” she said “I wanted something more akin to what I see in the ponds - beautiful, graceful, glittering, playful creatures. So, I made myself a piece of jewelry and utilized Swarovski crystals in the tail of the dragonfly with polymer clay.”
From there, one of Torres’ friends had suggested she take her photography and book to the Christmas Expo last year and when she saw her necklace, she suggested she make more of them. So, Torres made 30 necklaces for the expo and ended up selling all but two of them.
Torres’ brand new collection of her jewelry, Dragonflies Across the Sand and Sea Collection, will be introduced at the July 24 artist reception. This collection is inspired by her visits to the coast and the place she stays along an estuary where she enjoys taking photographs. The new collection features Swarovski crystal starfish with dangling dragonflies, Hill Tribes sterling silver and gemstones.
Torres has three children from her first marriage. Her parents reside in her hometown in northern Ohio with her (paternal) grandmother, who is 93 years old. She is very close with her family and said although her (paternal) grandfather passed away more than 31 years ago, not a day goes by where she doesn’t feel him beside her, inspiring her. She actually inherited one of his cameras, which she still has.
“My father is the greatest father a girl could ask for,” Torres said of her dad. “He played baseball with all us kids in the neighborhood, swam with us, taught us how to fish and was a very hard worker. He loved to create things and work with his hands. My mother loves to sew, knit and do ceramics. She, too, loves to create things. I think from my parents and grandparents, I have been given the gift of creativity.”
Torres’ jewelry, artwork, her book and photography can be seen on her website, www.danceofthedragonfly.com. She also has the following items available for viewing and purchase at the following locations:
• Mill Creek Pub, 1710 SW 9th Ave., Battle Ground: Her artwork will be featured in the restaurant, along with her necklaces, wine charms, serving boards and jewelry, after her artist reception on July 24.
• The Nest, 619 SE 1st St., Battle Ground: Torres has a small storefront here where some of her jewelry, artwork, wine pick charms, bracelets, granite serving boards and more can be found.
• Seventh Son Cellars, 120 N. 3rd Ave., Ridgefield: Torres’ guitar pick wine charms and granite cheese serving boards are available here.
• Serenity Wellness & Nails, 105 E. 25th St., Suite C, Vancouver: Artwork by Torres with her inspirational sayings is available here.
For more information or to learn how to purchase jewelry, artwork, photography and more from Torres, visit www.danceofthedragonfly.com or email Donna@danceofthedragonfly.com.
