Don Hartman

Happy Birthday Acrylic On Canvas

Artist Biography:

Born in Baltimore, MD., Don studied fine arts and photography at The Maryland Institute College of Art. While there, a summer job offered a full-time opportunity into the construction industry. Don followed  that opportunity which led to a career developing affordable housing. 

Throughout his career, Don developed affordable housing in Maryland, Arizona, Colorado and Takamatsu,  Japan. His dedication to affordable housing led to Don’s “time away” from painting, but it lived inside him  daily. Then in 1999, inspired by his wife, he began painting again. 

Don recently retired from Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. It was the final chapter of his affordable  housing career. He now has more time to paint and says of his work, “Wherever the inspiration comes  from, I always paint to delight the eye and tease the mind”. 

After living in Japan for three years, Don brought his love of Japanese calligraphy back with him. He now signs all his paintings simply “Don” but in katakana, ダン.