Our Artists

About Don

Before retiring from the United States Coast Guard, Don made his living saving lives in the most difficult and dangerous conditions that the Pacific Ocean had to offer. In charge of search and rescue-stations along the Oregon Coast, where dramatic weather often creates some of the roughest seas in the world, McMichael has both deep respect and admiration for the ocean.

Don has spent many years developing his unique style of art. He is able to achieve this style by researching and viewing his subjects in their own environment, then blending his subjects in a perspective that most people never see.

His journeys have taken him south to Baja to study the gray whales and as far north as Barrow, AK to view the great bowheads. He also had the privilege of joining marine biologists in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands to dive with the humpbacks. A number of his originals are being exhibited throughout the United States and have been juried and accepted through the international judging process. As an artist member of the American Society of Marine Artists he has exhibited in their national showings at the Frye Museum in Seattle, WA., the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville, FL., the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, DE., several Mystic, CT international exhibits and the annual Maritime Exhibit at the Coos Art Museum. In past years he has developed a large demand for his paintings in Japan, Hawaii and the eastern seaboard. For twenty years he has been the contributing artist for the Oregon Coast Music Festival image and also has captivated the imagination of many with his designs for the Friends of Shore Acres Christmas light show. In 2007 he was honored to receive the Marine Environmental Wildlife Award at the Mystic International Exhibit/and in 2008 and 2010 The Award of Excellence. On the west coast his work can be seen at Breach the Moon Gallery, Newport; Blue Heron Gallery, Florence, and Second Street Gallery, Bandon.

In June of 2011 he received notice that he was among the selected artists to participate in the American Society of Marine Artists 15th Annual National Exhibition which traveled to eight prominent museums across the United States. In July of 2013 he was invited to join a team of scientists from Oregon State University Marine Mammal Science Center, for a two week period, to tag sperm whales and study the feeding habits of squid in the Gulf of Mexico. Also he has been honored to be selected as the featured artist at the Coos Art Museum's Maritime Art Exhibit.

Don has been painting maritime images for the last 20 years. He strives to be correct with the species of whales and also historically correct, but still has alot of fun with some fantasy images such as his "Whale Huggers". He's having a great time, and at the same time hopes that his paintings might bring some awareness to the delicate balance between the great cetaceans and the oceans we all share.