Don Lazo
Biography
Ojai, California
Hanalei, Hawaii
805 715-2644 808 826-7053
Don Lazo was born in New York
in 1954 and lived in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Florida, and Colombia before he was a
teenager. His father was an executive with Coca Cola who kept the family moving
and experiencing many places.
Don was drawn to the dramatic
colors and the architecture of Latin America. After attending prep school at
Andover he went to Tulane University, in New Orleans, to study
architecture. Phillips Academy
During college he realized
that though he loved the artistry of buildings, he was drawn to the landscape
beyond the structures even more, and thus seriously started his career as an
artist.
Later, on a trip to
California, he was taken by the light and shape of the land and moved to Newport
Beach to pursue his career in art. He worked as a commercial artist and also
continued to paint landscapes that got larger and larger.
Many collectors of Don’s work
met him during this time selling at the Affaire in the Gardens in Beverly Hills
or at the Art A Fair in Laguna Beach. Later, Don moved to Ojai, California and
was accepted in to the Ojai Studio Artists group where he participated in their
annual open studio tour in October.
Don paints his large pieces in
the studio after spending time on sight choosing the colors, composition, and
movement that he wants to capture. You feel that you can step into his work.
The light and shadow are so dramatic and real that you almost experience being
there. His work has a certain romanticism to it just because of his love for the
environment. It evokes those memories of that perfect sunset or that moment
when the clouds shift the lighting just so.
Last year fourteen of Don’s
pieces were chosen for the movie ‘Collateral” starring Tom Cruise. A collection
of his work was also purchased for the newly renovated
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa (see
article).
His work has appeared numerous times in the Carnegie Art Museum. A
portrait painting of Don's wife was also chosen for the cover of
"Rising Women"
magazine.
At the end of
2004 Don, his wife of 20 years, Holly, and his two adventurous children,
moved to the island of Kauai. Don is either painting in his studio or
scouting for his next composition. His passion for his painting comes
through in the increased depth and richness of his work and the confidence
in each brushstroke.
Exhibits & Shows (partial list)
Aloha Images, Kauai, Hawaii
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Ojai, California
Movie "Collateral", starring Tom Cruise, used 14 paintings
Movie "The Hulk"
Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard, California
Primavera Gallery, Ojai, California
Peppertree Ranch Art Show, Santa Ynez, California
Ojai Art & Music Festival, Ojai, California
La Quinta Art Show, La Quinta, California
Beverly Hills Art Show, Beverly Hills, California
La Jolla Art Show, La Jolla, California
Swain Galleries, Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Michael’s Galleries, Newport Beach, California
Art Affaire,
Laguna Beach, California
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