Don Gaconnet

Don's career in art started with a simple childhood question… “What do you want to be when you grow up?” his grandfather asked with a mic p...ointed and cassette tape recording.

Pondering as young children do when asked such a question, Don exclaims smiling excitedly… “I want to be an Artist!”


From that moment Don spent his childhood years doodling at his grandparents bar, completing oil paint-by-number kits, and copying birds and animals from picture books in pencil, crayon, and ballpoint pen.


During elementary school, Don won multiple ribbons for his works at local Fairs and art shows in the Pacific Northwest.


In high school, Don received special permission to fill all his electives with Art classes. Don completed his general credit requirements early and attended half days during his Junior and Senior years at the local community college.


Don's hard work earned him acceptance at Otis Parsons School of Art in Los Angeles California. Unfortunately, after a single semester, Don's grants ran out and he was unable to continue his studies.


With a love of art stronger than this setback, Don began work as an Apprentice hand painting billboards in Southern California. Don worked as a commissioned muralist, and painted signs for small businesses in the days before vinyl.


Through Don's young adult life, Don worked as a commissioned artist creating graphics, Illustrations, logos, and website designs.


With a religious drive to self-study the works of the great masters, Don continued to expand his education by experimenting in multiple art disciplines including, oil. acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, pastel, graphite, colored pencil, and charcoal.


Interestingly Don gravitated to the works of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood and fell in love with the movements' rebellious styles, ideals, and works of the period...


Today Don continues to work as an Artist focusing on Fine Art Portraits, Atelier style drawings, Illustrations, and Impressionist paintings created in the spirit of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.


“I couldn't afford a formal art education, so I gave one to myself. After all…. Aren't we all self taught when you think about it?” Don Gaconnet Show more