About The Artist
Don Gillespie was born in Fulton, New York. His father, a decorated WWII pilot, instilled in him a love of aviation. Don’s earliest memories are of flying with his family in small private aircraft. He also developed a strong desire to draw, and naturally, his drawings focused on flight.
In the late ’70s, he combined his love of flight and art as senior designer for Honeywell Space Systems Group in Clearwater, Florida. Gillespie worked with engineers, creating hundreds of concept paintings for NASA programs. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States and internationally.
He was a charter member of the American Society of Aviation Artists and has studied under some of the world’s most accomplished aerospace artists.
The Art of Business
As an entrepreneur, Don has built several successful multimedia businesses. He continues to assemble teams of artists, engineers, and project managers to develop innovative interactive solutions for Fortune 500 companies. These projects combine art and technology together, integrating complex database content with 3D graphic animation, audio, and digital video.
Giving Back
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Don has advocated for the arts both locally and nationally. In 2016, he founded the Artist4Space program. Through this STEAM-based curriculum, students learned valuable skills to help turn their ideas into reality. These hands-on lessons taught students how to observe, develop processes, measure accurately, understand proportions, and draw in perspective.
Artist4Space classes have been held in Tampa, Florida; at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; through the Central Florida Boys & Girls Clubs; and at the CNY Arts Center in New York. Don also curates and participates in art shows and establishes artist-in-residence programs that combine live painting demonstrations with art classes for children at museums and other facilities across the country.
Don gives back to his local community through his service as a former board member of the Clearwater Arts Alliance. He continues to work toward establishing art scholarships for disadvantaged children. He has also served as an advisor to Pinellas County Technical Schools and as a judge for the National Scholastic Art Award competition.
Don Gillespie's recreation of Charles H. Grant's "At the Mercy of Neptune" on permanent display at the H. Lee White Marine Museum in Oswego, New York.
All images at MyBrushStrokes.com are covered by Don Gillespie copyrights. Reproduction of images by any means, without written permission, is strictly prohibited.
© 2012 Don Gillespie
Projects
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Cloning Neptune is honored to be sponsored by Winsor & Newton,
“ The World's Finest Art Materials”
Kindred Spirits Art Exhibit -
May 17th to August 31st 2014 at the H. Lee White Marine Museum Oswego, New York.
Supporting Education
Here are 2 fine art canvas giclee prints of my paintings which will be auctioned at the 2014 Annual 1812 Lynx Fundraiser event on March 8th at the St. Petersbug Yacht Club, St. Pete, FL.
A BIG THANK YOU to Jerri and Scott Menaul of The Canvas Zoo for these excellent Fine Art Canvas Giclees .
Painting in the Lobby of the Vinoy Renaissance Hotel, St.Pete Fl.
September 30th 1898, My great grandfather's gallery burned. Learn more...
Detail of Hope
Homeless Project
This series of transparent watercolors were created to help raise funds for the homeless in Tampa. Click here to view more
Airborne Rangers
Recently finished commission.
Welcome to the on-line gallery of Don Gillespie. This collection of paintings represents a life of art. They are unique visions created with traditional brush and paint. Art is a vehicle which helps us gain a better understanding of ourselves, our dreams and aspirations. It helps us to understand our world and to put it into perspective. The artist hopes that they inspire you to pick up a brush or whatever vehicle you prefer and travel beyond the surface.
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