Don Thompson was endowed with an ‘arty' gene that has produced a family of entertainers, writers, caricaturists, graphic designers and fine artists. When he was about twelve years old, his father ran a pet shop in the U.K. and Don supplemented his pocket money drawing scraper board and pastel portraits of customers' pets, dogs, cats and the odd budgie.
During his sojourn in the armed forces (1955-57), Don produced cartoons for RAF camp periodicals and also avoided unpleasant duties by sketching portraits of wives, girlfriends and kids for his superior officers.
In 1960 he joined the Ford Motor Company in UK as a Display Artist. Eventually, he graduated to Auto Stylist, and being surrounded by many accomplished artist/designers from around the world, he was able to pick up perspective, composition, and colour and rendering techniques that would hold him in good stead for the rest of his career in fine art.
Don emigrated to Australia in 1970 when he was offered a job with the Ford Company, and in 1990 when he retired after thirty three years in the automotive industry, he decided to dabble in water colours.
He found it impossible to let go of the hard edge, realistic illustrative techniques he had developed in his design career, so it has become an essential part of his painting style in both oil and watercolour.
Don loves the sea and outdoor activities associated with water, and he has always enjoyed painting marine subjects. Lots of tranquil water with reflections. But since taking up oil painting, his subjects have become more eclectic. While there is still been a smattering of boats and water, now there are highly magnified florals, twisted beer cans, graphic car renderings, aircraft, motorbikes, ducks and old sheds. Even his watercolours have seen the start of a series of vintage steam trains from Queenscliff.
In 2002, Australian Artist magazine asked Don to provide a tutorial for them, and it was testament to Don's talent that four pages of his work were featured in this national art periodical. In 2003 and 2005 Don has exhibited jazz portraits at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz.
Don's paintings now hang in homes and corporations in countries around the world. Don's technique, perception and superb drafting of watercolours and oil paintings seem to come effortlessly. This exhibition, ‘New Realities' at Little Malop Gallery, demonstrates not only Don's ability as an artist, but also gives us a snapshot of the life of a very active realist artist .