Donn Poll first put oil paint on a canvas in a studio art class in the 1970s. It was canvas paper, he only finished the sky on a single sheet, then he put oil paint away for a long time. After decades of unsatisfying painting with acrylic, Donn became an informal student of artist and teacher Mark Carder in early 2019 and started his real oil painting adventure on August 20. It was a breakthrough!

Donn has drawn and painted and made pictures since he was a kid. He has a BS in journalism and design from Minnesota State University and has worked in communications his entire life — marketing, design, photography, copywriting and art direction.

Statement on painting: I paint what appeals to me. Not just visually — shapes, colors, shadows — but what I hear, taste, touch and even smell (the scent of tomato vines and marigolds and country air). I have learned a lot in these early years and I look forward to so much more to learn and discover.