A Colorado native, Don's paintings evoke a strong emotion, the sense of "being there." Don has traveled extensively throughout Colorado and the west, painting and sharing his personal vision that draws people to his work. "If someone can view my work and sense the cold, smell the dampness or feel the sun beating down, then I have been successful." From as early age Don loved to draw. He would spend hours watching his grandfather, a master stone cutter, work at his craft. Later Don would bring his drawings to his grandfather to be critiqued. It was not until he was older that Don realized the lessons he was learning about design, layout and just plain hard work. As a young adult Don studied privately with Joe Brand, a respected wildlife artist and instructor at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. During this 4 year period Don focused exclusively on wildlife, learning structure, anatomy and strong fundamentals in working with oils. Don's desire to work from life and to vary his subject matter led him to branch out into other areas and, most importantly, to begin painting outside, "en plein air." The exhilaration of standing face to face with the subject, challenged by the changing light, unpredictable weather and the need to distill the scene down to its essence continue to be the motivation that drives him to venture out in all types of weather. Don continues to travel throughout Colorado and the west, painting and sharing his personal vision, and to “Capture the Moment.”
Exhibitions of Note
The Small Works Great Wonders Show at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; The American Miniatures Show at Settlers West Gallery-Tucson, Arizona; The Western Masters Show-Great Falls, Montana; The Salon International Show-San Antonio, Texas; The Russell Auction at the CM Russell Museum, Great Falls Montana; The Mountain Oyster Club Show-Tucson, Arizona; The National Exhibition, Oil Painters of America; The Colorado Governor’s Invitational Art Show at the Loveland Museum-Loveland, Colorado.
