New Feature Exhibition in June May 09 2024

Vistas and Vignettes:
New Paintings by Don Sondag

On Exhibit: June 1 - July 27, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 1, 4-7 PM

Image 1:  Don Sondag, After the Storm, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches 

About the Exhibition:

Orlando-based artist Don Sondag is known for his realist landscape paintings. He was encouraged by his parents to pursue his love of art from a young age. Growing up on the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, Sondag also developed a deep appreciation for water and the beauty of the natural environment. Over time, these passions merged, and he has built a career around his striking oil paintings of natural spaces. 

For Sondag’s second solo exhibition at Arts on Douglas, he presents a new collection of true-to-life paintings that exemplify the splendor of the landscape. Scenes include depictions of waterways in and around Winter Park, iconic beachfront vistas along New Smyrna Beach, and vignettes of snowcapped mountains from far off locations, frozen in time.
Sondag’s paintings attest to his mastery of plein air and photorealism painting techniques. His larger work is created in his studio, while smaller landscapes are painted on location. His close attention to the quality of light and the richness of colors ensures that the essence of each scene is captured on his canvas.

Sondag concludes, “My goal is to transform a rich, impressionistic tapestry of color and brushwork into a photorealistic image.  As viewers experience each piece from near to far, I want them to feel as though they have become part of the scene.”

About the Artist:

Don Sondag graduated from Rhode Island School of Design, studied portraiture at the National Academy of Design and at the Art Student League in New York City.

Landscapes as well as commissioned illustration and portraiture drove his early career. Don has created illustrations for Harcourt School Publishers, and painted portraits of numerous prominent Central Florida figures, individuals and families, including Central Florida’s beloved Fred Rogers of the children’s television show: “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood”.

Sondag taught portraiture and painting at Crealdé School of Art, where he joined the faculty in 1990. He also taught at Seminole College and for Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Feature Animation.