Don was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. He began his ceramic studies at Marcos de Niza high school and continued his pursuit of clay at Arizona State University. After spending time as a professional musician and a brief stint in corporate management, he returned to his pottery roots and spent several years teaching and working with Tom and Elaine Coleman at their studio in Henderson Nevada. 

Don has won numerous awards for his work and continues to sell his pottery at shows and gallery’s throughout the southwest. He is currently the Department Head of the Ceramics Program at the Phoenix Center for the Arts.

His work over the past 25 years has evolved into a concentrated study of the relationship between the palette of glazes used and the various forms he constructs. This evolution has brought about a more focused interest in the alterations and textures introduced during the early stages of the piece, and the obvious and/or subtle interaction with the multitude of layered glazes applied.  

Don has added to this evolution in his work by embracing the amazing effects of wood firing on his forms and glazes with wondrous results.  Coming in a bit later in life to this genre of the ceramics world Don has jumped head first into firing anagama kilns throughout the country and has enjoyed the great friendships that this travel and work has bestowed upon him.  

Learning is a lifetime pursuit.