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ARTIST BIO

Don Heywood, a life lived through Art.

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Born 1944

Don Heywood, a graduate of the Leicester College of Art and a lecturer at the London College of Printing, is a distinguished and widely exhibited British painter specializing in portraits and wildlife studies. His work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy, The Tryon Gallery and the DM Gallery in London.


He was awarded a Mention Honorable by the Societe des Artistes Francais of 1977 after an exhibition in Le Grand Palais Champs-Elysees. Most of his recent work has been exhibited throughout the United States, culminating in an exhibition at Cartier 5th Avenue New York.

His most significant achievement in portrait painting was a commission to paint a lifesize portrait of the HM Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace. This was completed in 1992. Other distinguished sitters have included Major General Lord Michael Fitzalan Howard, GCVO, CB, CBE, MC. Colonel of the life Guards and gold stick to HM The Queen. The Officers of the Life Guards, Household Cavalry ( Group portrait of forty Officers).

Don Heywood lived in South Africa and a book of his portraits of indigenous tribal people THE VANISHING FACES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA was published in 1994. HM Queen Elizabeth graciously accepted copy number one. Since then Don Heywood has concentrated his talents on his first love Wildlife Portraits. Subsequently a book of his Wildlife work was published.

 WILDLIFE PORTRAITS of Southern Africa Copy Number one of this book was graciously accepted by H R H Prince Phillip. This book was chosen by Hatchards of Piccadilly as one of ten books (out of a choice of over 50,000) as their choice to commemorate their 200th Anniversary. 

Since the publication of this book Don Heywood has continued to concentrate on painting Wildlife, especially Endangered Wildlife and subsequently produced a portfolio called The Smithsonian Endangered Species Collection. 

To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of CRC a special portfolio was produced. This portfolio contained 12 prints of various Endangered Wildlife Species with which the CRC are most involved. These images were carefully selected by senior staff members of CRC. Selection based not only on the degree of Endangerment but also reflecting the range of CRC involvement and geographical distribution.

Following the Smithsonian Project, Don Heywood was approached by; Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club to paint 3 Top Tennis Stars ( Pete Sampras, Martina Navratilova, Bjorn Borg). Following this Commission, he has continued painting Portraits and Wildlife ( See Latest Works).

Don Heywood's superb imagery and his love for the natural world shines through all of his work. "Professionally and spiritually, the people and animals of the world's wilderness have made a profound impact on my life. Now they need our help and I am truly fortunate to be able to use my talents to do that in some small measure." He is a man who is truly committed to the conservation of the world's wildlife and indigenous cultures.

Don Heywood has been a resident of Malta for the last 18 years. And says, “After living in South Africa, I find Malta very safe and friendly. The cultural history is amazing, The climate is perfect,the clear blue skies and sea, inspire me to paint. This coupled with some of the nicest people you could wish to meet. I wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else."

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ARTIST RESUME

EDUCATION

BA in Graphic Design Leicester.
Lecturer in Graphic Design Illustration at the London College of Printing.

EXHIBITIONS

The Royal Academy ,London. 
The Tyron Gallery ,London. 
The DM Gallery, London. 
The Sabine Gallery, London.
Harrods DepartmentStore Knightsbridge London. 
The Everard Read Gallery, Johanesberg & CapeTown.
The Addison Ripley Gallery, George Town Washington DC.
The Cape Town gallery, South Africa.
The Beaux Art Paris - Awarded a mention Honorable by the Society des Artistes Francias of 1977 after an exhibition in Le Grand Palais Champs- Elysses. 
Touring Exhibition around the United States of America culminating in a one man show at Cartier 5th Avenue New York. 
APS Bank Malta. - together  with book launch of Pope John the second. 
Art Expo New York - Represented by Marie Gallery 5
Red Dot Miami- Represented by Marie Gallery 5

COMMISSIONS

Portraits of 40 officers of the Household Cavalry.

Gold Stick to the HM Queen Elizabeth II- Lord Micheal Fitzalan Howard. 

Commission to paint Monsignor Gilby for the Travellers Club London. 

The Hmabro Banking Family

Portraits of all the tribal people of South Africa (commissioned by First National Bank).
Commissioned to paint HM Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace.
Commissioned to paint 3 top tennis players, Pete Sampras, Martina Navratilova & Bjorn Borg by Wimbledon Tennis Club.
Commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute Washington to paint 12 endangered wildlife species (HM Queen Elizabeth II accepts portfolio no.1 for the Royal Library Windsor)

PUBLICATIONS

Portraits of all the tribal people of South Africa (commissioned by First National Bank).
Commissioned to paint HM Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace.
Commissioned to paint 3 top tennis players, Pete Sampras, Martina Navratilova & Bjorn Borg by Wimbledon Tennis Club.
Commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute Washington to paint 12 endangered wildlife species (HM Queen Elizabeth II accepts portfolio no.1 for the Royal Library Windsor)

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PUBLICATIONS

Vanishing  Faces of South Africa
Portraits of Southern Africa
The Acorn
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TESTIMONIALS

"... this truly inspiring picture. It is one of the best I have seen of an elephant and so typical of the animal itself."

Kenneth Kaunda
President of the Republic of Zambia

Dearest Don, 
I am speechless and perplexed and I honestly wonder how you are able to achieve drawings of such a delicate, strong and living expression. You are a true phenomenon and I sincerely congratulate you for your outstanding talent. I cannot resist thinking that one or two among the greatest masters in Art must have blazed up your passion. I am thinking of Holbein. In addition destiny led you one day to South Africa, the place of all the places for you, contributed in a essential way to your career, artistically speaking.
There are so many other considerations I would like to mention and I am eagerly looking forward to our next possible dialogue which I hope will happen soon. 
With my congratulations and my affectionate thoughts.

Gustav Zumsteg

Vanishing Faces of Southern Africa is a celebration of the extraordinary richness and diversity of the cultural heritage of the people of Southern Africa as expressed in their traditional costumes and customs.
With the keen eye of a sensitive portrait painter, Donald Heywood has captured a beauty and visible identity widely neglected in the past due to the Eurocentric emphasis in cultural history research in South Africa. At a time when this heritage is seriously threatened by a rapidly changing society, Heywood’s paintings provide a record for posterity.
“Vanishing Faces of Southern Africa, the magnificent final product of many years of dedicated and painstaking work… plays an important role in conservation and preservation… Donald Heywood should be satisfied that he has created accurate, natural and sympathetic renderings of a passing era for future generations.”

Steve Bales
Custodian of Art, Fist National Bank of Southern Africa Limited.

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MEDIA

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Dubai Horse show
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