Don was born near Glasgow, Scotland in 1962. He studied Architecture at the University of Strathclyde, graduating with both BSc (Hons) and BArch degrees, and qualifying as an Architect in 1987. Despite an early gifting for drawing and sketching, Don never had opportunity to study Fine Art while continuing in his Architectural career, advancing to the point of owning and managing a practice in 1997. In 2016, following many years of award-winning practice, Don felt called to leave the security of his life in Glasgow to volunteer in Cape Town, South Africa, promoting, designing and building sustainable housing solutions in the townships. During his time there, and in the midst of lock-down, Don’s latent love of art was reignited and he began to produce original, experimental and emotive portraits rich in colour. In 2021, Don returned to Glasgow to briefly take up a Project Management position at the Glasgow School of Art while developing a portfolio of paintings. Don works mainly in oils on canvas, both on his own work and client commissions, from a studio in his self-designed & built, award-winning home.