"I'm a car guy...they've fascinated me since the day I was able to see them." says Don Burgess. It's a fascination that comprises the bulk of this Northwest native's painting portfolio. He plans his realistic watercolors with diligence, and has found a joyous lifelong hobby.

Art has been a part of his life from a very early age. His parent's best friend was an art teacher at a local private school. He had unique opportunities in grade school - a local program selected him for an arts workshop at the University of Washington. "They would go around the grade schools, and they would take 50 kids from every school. I went two years in a row," says Don, who remembers being allowed to use any media he chose and paint whatever he wished. As an adult, Don credits two watercolorists as his mentors: Jeanne Hammond Elliot, and workshop leader and fellow Rogue Valley artist, Judy Morris.

"I paint things that please me. Cars and deserts. I paint for myself, it's not a business to me." He brings along his prints to the Salt Flats, selling them to kindred spirits coming as far away as Texas, Missouri, Maine, and New Zealand. He plans on producing a small book as well as a calendar from the prints from his 50th anniversary road trip with his wife.

Don Burgess

Red Door, 10x14, watercolor	Jacksonville Mist, 10x14, watercolor
Jacksonville Pit Stop, 12x15, colored pencil
Gathering of the Clans, 10x17, colored pencil	Two Old Friends, 12x17, colored pencil and watercolor
Red Roadster, 10x15, colored pencil	1034 is Ready, 8x15, colored pencil
Steens High Road, 10x19, watercolor	Storm Over the Steens, 13x20, watercolor