Catherine was born on the 19th of May, 1963 in Argenteuil, Belgium. She has been living in Brest, located in Northern France, since 1979. Donval has exhibited prolifically since 1994, in cities throughout France, and most recently,  London.  In 1996 Donval was added to the official French House of Artists. Donval's paintings are a direct reflection of her mood. Reds are indicative of happier moods, while purples and browns indicate more somber ones. She explores the effects the nature of the paints used can create, preferring to paint with her fingers or a pallet knife.