Don Black

Don Black Bio

Winchester artist Don Black came to art from a long career in music that included performing and teaching, as well as conducting symphony orchestras and opera. He is now a retired professor emeritus at Shenandoah University. Until recently he was also an active jazz clarinetist.

He began painting In 1984, starting with oils. Soon he turned to traditional watercolor, studied with several prominent artists, and In 1995 gained signature membership in the prestigious Baltimore Watercolor Society. He later turned to acrylics and a more abstract style. In 2008 the George Washington Hotel in Winchester purchased 3 of his abstract paintings as a part of its major renovation.

In 2009 Don was honored by the Shenandoah Arts Council (SAC) with a Retrospective of 75 paintings from a quarter-century of his work. He has been featured in numerous solo shows, and is often included in selective group shows. His work is in many collections in the United States, Canada and Europe.

In February 2019 Don was one of the honorees in the first "Hearts for the Arts" gala held at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley and organized by the Shenandoah Arts Council. The event recognized local artists and others who had made a significant impact on the arts in the northern Shenandoah Valley in the last 40 years.

A large number of his painting were recently featured in the Lawrence Gallery at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury in Winchester VA

Don lives in Winchester, VA. Summers still lure him to Lac Pemichangan, Quebec, in the beautiful Gatineau valley.

Artist’s Statement

Don"s current creative work is focused on painting with acrylics on panel, paper or canvas. He uses watercolor, charcoal and other media, employs layering techniques, and experiments with a wide variety of mixed-media materials. Texture, line and color are of special interest at this time.

Inspiration comes from the paint itself, from the very activity of painting, from a love of nature and the outdoors, and from regular contact with talented artist-colleagues.

Abstract art is the primary focus now. It is often done in a quasi-impressionistic way, but at times takes an expressionistic bent. Recognizable shapes from nature occasionally enter the composition.

The painting process begins in a jazz-like improvisation manner, but continues guided by instilled design principles. The artistic eye then takes over, always looking for the happy accident or epiphany that in the midst of creative chaos unearths a special wonder, mystery or magic.

Some Present and Past Galleries

ArtSquare Gallery - Leesburg, VA

Barns of Rose Hill - Berryville, VA

The Bridge Gallery - Shepherdstown, WV

Duvall Designs Gallery - Millwood, VA

East Meets West - Winchester, VA

Gallery One - Winchester, VA

Gallery 222 - Leesburg, VA

The Ice House - Berkeley Springs, WV

Jubilee Gallery - Winchester, VA

Long View Gallery - Sperryville, VA

Mayer Gallery - Shepherdstown WV

Newman Gallery - Washington, DC

Shenandoah Arts Council - Winchester, VA