Don Van Amerongen
California, USA | Photographer & Painter | Resident in 2025
I have no accurate word for what I do and who I am; but I am compelled to work with oil paint and photography daily. In my photography and painting I start with an idea or recognizable image and build layers on top. This is when the fun and process take over for me. My limited input is to steer towards the beauty and power of nature. I am always mindful of the fragility of nature and humans effect on it. I hold no Illusions that my work will effect anybody; but what else can you do?
My interest in photography led me to study large format cameras and studying with Ansel Adams and other San Francisco photographers. I showed black and white photos for a few years and began to feel it was very limiting for me. I had a chance to return to school and earned a degree in painting at the Art Institute Of San Francisco. I use this background in my current work to try to catch magic.
“I came to 360 XQMX residency to get a look at my work and see it from a new perspective; possible organize my work for future shows. This all happened and much more. The other artist were talking the language of creativity and I fell into conversations that dug into my own work. Their energy was inspiring and I didn’t want to leave so soon. My plan is to return for a longer stay next year. ”
