 Don Lazo
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.
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,
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"Kayak Rental," Oil on Canvas, 12 x 16 |
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
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"Red Cliffs," Oil on Canvas, 11 x 14 |
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
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"Hanalei Pier," Oil on Canvas, 10 x 20 |
was also purchased for the newly renovated Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. His work has appeared numerous times in the Carnegie Art Museum.
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
Contact Info:
Don@HanaleiArt.com
www.HanaleiArt.com
(808) 826-7053
7-5267 Kuhio Hwy.
Hanalei, HI 96714
For additional information about Don Lazo please visit www.HanaleiArt.com.
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"Cold Pond," Oil on Canvas, 16 x 20 |
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"Dark Sky Over Y Camp," Oil on Canvas, 23 x 46 |
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