DonsArt Profile
Hello and welcome to my website
DonsArt Profile
Don Barnett is an independent South African artist operating from his studio in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Having worked in the art industry for over 30 years, Don is exceptional within many disciplines; including oils, water-colour, acrylic, mixed media and photography. Don’s extensive art career portfolio includes fine art / cartooning / illustration / leather pyrography / sign-writing / and photojournal assignments specifically tailored around outdoor adventure expeditions.
His early photography career was birthed in the era of 35mm film. This was predominantly ‘black & white’ field photography whilst on assignment through Africa which also saw Don processing these images from his darkroom.
After moving to Cape Town during his mid twenties, Don focused his talents on creating captivating African Wildlife pieces. He sold many works in oil, acrylic, water colour and pyrography which have found homes all over the world.
After a decade of selling his fine art paintings and prints from the Waterfront, Don focused his career on commercial assignments, which included numerous book illustrations, cartoon renderings and retro sign-writing.
Photography assignments once again became the primary focus of attention during his forties. More recently, this progressed into Don’s involvement with an exciting ‘experiential learning program’ which enabled him to photograph several expeditions. These have included treks to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt.Kenya as well as several expeditions through the Fish River Canyon, Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma forests.
Having been captivated by the beauty of the African continent, it has been Don’s desire to share his experiences through stories and paintings. He is currently building several bodies of work around these subjects.
Don has project managed several art community projects, including initiatives within communities of the Southern Peninsula, Cape Town.
Don is a competent writer and enjoys journaling about his life experiences which you can find in the journal section of this website along with a spectrum of images from his creative portfolio.
Adventure through the lens. Encapsulated moments in time, reflected through images painted with light.
Creativity has been the sacred language of my expression for as long as I can remember. An assorted collection of Art form.
A convergence of content across the spectrum of varied artistic disciplines. Authentically scripted moving visual images.
“Art has always been the framework shaped around the conversation that is my life. It has been an interesting dance between the polarities of joy and sorrow. There is something to be said for touching the void in the sanctuary of creative space. The rare moments of clarity where the realms of physical, mental and transcendental align; the undefinable energy channeling through the artist’s expression of choice. These become sacred moments that often get obscured in the trappings of life. The artist instinctively remembers them and is forever in pursuit or in conflict with his higher self. This has manifest in the ebb and flow of my life.
Join me on my journey of creativity and self-discovery. It has opened many strange and mystical doors, some of which have led to an adventure of a lifetime. This journey has taken me to the top of mountain peaks including the likes of Mt. Kilimanjaro and down great rivers such as the Amazon. It has helped me to recognise the simple beauty of life in obscure and random places and it has led me to the gateway that opened to the love of my life.
At times I have been likened to a simple man with simple view-points. But life in essence is simple … no-one said it would be always be easy. Time and space has been the open canvas on which to paint my life’s story. The depth of which includes hues and tones across an expansive spectrum of colour and shadows.
I hope this website inspires you and in its own way leaves you with a sense of hope. Hope in the sacredness of creativity, Faith in our engagement with it and Love for oneself in the embrace of the universe as you reflect on your own perspectives.
Please engage with the images, videos and journal as I continue to take time in building this site. In time I hope to fulfil the objective of completing an extensive portal to my galleries, portfolios, journeys of discovery and adventure, topics of interest, current and upcoming projects and customised offers.
Please contact me for inquiries
Enjoy, Don”