About Artist
A famous playwright once wrote, “at times, the soul needs something that reason cannot explain”. That defines art for me. Art has always evoked a feeling that goes beyond explanation for me. Beyond the beautiful colors, an interesting scene or a riveting portrait, art produces a feeling inside me. I fervently hope that I might cause that feeling in others who take time to view my paintings. If so, I am a very successful artist. Growing up on a West Alabama farm in the fifties, I was not exposed to art, yet I cannot remember looking at a photograph or reading a good book that did not fire my imagination causing an image to form in my mind. In later years I encountered a few people that helped develop my interest in art. While in communication school in Chicago I was taken to some of the wonderful museums by a new friend. What I saw and felt made a lasting impression on me. From there I began my first feeble attempts to draw and suffered much frustration. Several years later I tried again and in frustration enrolled in a painting class at the Oklahoma Science and Arts foundation. While there a mentor taught me some of the basics. Still it was many years before I began to work at art seriously. An exciting life of working in broadcasting and then in the music industry took my time and energy for several years. I still found time to dream about becoming an artist. After ten years as Director of Promotion for Warner Brothers Records in Los Angles and 4 years as founder and publisher of a music business trade magazine, I decided it was time to take the plunge into art. Moving back to my home state of Alabama I have studied and worked steadily to improve as an artist. I have been fortunate to study under Daniel E. Greene at his studio farm in New Salem, New York. Daniel is one of the premier portraitists in the world. He was a student, and is a teacher, at the famous Art Students League in New York City. I have never regretted the decision focus my life on the arts. I love art and hope that you find something that stirs a good feeling when looking at any of my paintings. Don Estes