About the Artist
Don Wolfe loved to draw and paint as a teenager, but he was pressed by his family to follow a career in business. Through college, and later as a young U.S. Army Lieutenant, working with oil paint remained an interest. Sketching and painting continued as a hobby, interrupted only by service in the Vietnam Conflict as a combat officer. Don then spent 25 years pursuing a business career winding up as a senior officer with an international company based in Arkansas.
When the desire to follow his artistic nature reached its high point, he reached out for counsel from those he loved. Close friends and family encouraged Don to pursue his love for art. Then, at the age of 52, he moved to Pasadena, California and began a rigorous program of study and training at the prestigious Art Center College of Design. While there, Don concentrated heavily on improving his drawing and painting skills. He immersed himself in the works of Sargent, Degas, Fechin and Levitan. He feels that their works along with the classic works of Monet and Sorolla have had the greatest influence on his endeavors, particularly his use of light and color.
There is an exciting spirit in his art-a visual presence of his images capture and consume the viewer. He says although a certain subject truly captures his interest, he becomes almost obsessive with exploring the mood and the effects of light on form. The result is a provocative work that expresses strong, quiet emotions through the use of subtle, rich textures and warm inviting hues. Don readily admits that while inspiration does come from his wife Rebecca and their two children, his deepest inspiration comes from God. He acknowledges that, "We are surrounded by the magnificence of God's creation-the radiant smile of a child or friend, a brilliant sunrise, the spangled night sky, or perhaps a grove of oak trees on the horizon in evening light. I believe that God shares his creative and inventive powers with all of us, and it's up to each one of us, in our own way, to listen for His voice."
Don chooses familiar subjects or events that may evoke a pleasant memory and stir your senses. Beach scenes, landscapes, still life objects, people just living life and children at play-these all seem to draw Don's artistic focus. His work often attracts the viewer due to its vibrating color and controlled use of light that seems to set his paintings aglow. Some of his clients refer to him as a "colorist" because of his bright and exuberant use of color. This characterization is apparent when you view "Autumn Harvest" with its rich inviting hues of fall, or "Sharing the Day" with the two boys on the fishing dock.
"Musical Voices at Rest," a still life of musical instruments unquestionably captures the viewer with Don's use of unique nuances of cool and warm hues against deep shadows. And, he obviously enjoyed creating an imposing, luminescent cloud that dominates the plein air landscape titled "Hill Country east of Blanco." Because of its scale, the painting is grand and intimate all at once. At times, Don creates works that seem a bit contradictory to his nature. Look at "Morning Light," a nude painted in a monochrome. The viewer is immediately drawn into the image by the very absence of color and, therefore, must seek to communicate with the figure in this mysterious atmosphere of light and shadow.
With such an array of color and subjects, it is often difficult to find a favorite-there is such vitality in his paintings. His work connects so well with the viewer on several levels. Perhaps Don says it best, "My image is but a bridge," he says, "to draw out the abstract from the viewer's unconscious and subtly broaden a delightful emotion." Looking ahead, one thing is certain; Don's art will always give evidence of a sensitive hand and an open heart.
Artist’s Statement
"Constant experimentation is one of the essentials to the development of any good artist. I believe that the exercises and subject matter pursued by the artist should not be dictated by the fashion of today or pop culture, but should be grounded upon a methodical approach that bears fruit as foundation skills are expanded and perfected. Indeed, it is the perfection of these basic skills that will lead to a career of solid accomplishment.
It is my goal to engage the viewer by capturing unique moments from life that stir the senses or evoke a pleasant memory. When people observe my artwork I want them to become more aware of the beauty around them in their everyday lives."
Education
Attended various workshops with working, professional artists and took on special studies with exceptional art teachers at Art Center College of Design..
| Attended | Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA |
| Graduate | Texas A & M University, College Station, TX |
| Graduate | Cornell College of Iowa, Mt. Vernon, IA |
Don and his wife Rebecca have recently made their home in the beautiful Hill Country of northwest Austin, an area of beautiful sunsets and vistas…and inspiration.
