About The Artist
I remember drawing cartoon characters, animals, cars and imaginary rocket ships as a child. I drew on scrap paper, board ends and cardboard – anything that would hold a mark. My introduction to painting was through the tempera colors that my dad brought home from a local sign painter and the “borrowed” vials of pigment from my sister’s paint-by-number kits.
I was off on an artistic journey that would take me through college and into the next decade, only to be interrupted to raise a family and build two successful retail businesses. After returning to art full time, oils remained my medium of choice until a few years ago when I made the transition to acrylics. They are less toxic, odor free, and transport easily on my frequent plein air painting sessions. Each medium challenges me differently to find a process that will reflect a conversation with the subject.
My body of work is primarily composed of interesting shapes and bold colors. The paintings are snippets of warped remembrances allowing you a glimpse of the things I have seen and the places I have been. When someone quips “I think I’ve been there” or “I know where that is” I know the connection between creator and viewer has been made.
Exhibitions
2018
Old Alcohol Plant Gallery – Port Hadlock. Two Person Show
Don Tiller Studio / Gallery
2017
Don Tiller Studio / Gallery
2016
839 Pop Up Gallery – Summer Show
2015
Childhood’s End Gallery – Olympia, WA. Group show
Roby King Gallery – Bainbridge Island. Solo Show
839 Pop Up Gallery
2014
Blue Whole Gallery – Sequim, WA. Guest Artist of the Month
2013
Artisans on Taylor – Port Townsend, WA.
Roby King Gallery – Bainbridge Island. Group show
Pop-Up Show displayed in the upstairs loft at the Spice Market – Port Townsend, WA. Solo show
2012
5 Blended Visions – Port Townsend, WA. Benefit group show
Gunnar Nordstom Gallery – Bellevue, WA. Solo show
Childhood’sEnd Gallery – Olympia, WA. Group show
Toucan Gallery – Billings Mt. Solo show
Directors Gallery – Bainbridge Island, WA. Solo show
2011
Artisans on Taylor – Port Townsend, WA.
Toucan Gallery – Billings, MT.
2010
Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery – Bellevue, WA. Solo Show
“Plein Air” Northwind Arts Center – Port Townsend, WA. Group Invitational Show
Alchemy of the Abstract V – Northwind Arts Center. Port Townsend, WA
2009
Bishop Victorian Hotel – Port Townsend, WA. Solo Show
Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery – Bellevue, WA. Solo Show
Northwind Arts Center – Port Townsend, WA. Dual Invitational Show
The Art Mine Lobby & Second Floor Gallery – Port Hadlock, WA. Solo Show featuring “Succession” series
2008
Port Townsend Gallery – Port Townsend, WA. Solo Show as guest artist
Alchemy of the Abstract IV, Northwind Arts Center – Port Townsend, WA. “Knobs” Merit Award
2007
Art Port Townsend, Northwind Arts Center – Port Townsend, WA
Fountainhead Gallery – 625 W. McGraw, Seattle, WA. Solo Exhibition: June 7 – July1, 2007. “Neighbors–The Connection Series”
Associated Arts of Ocean Shores – Ocean Shores, WA. “View from the House” Merit Award
2006
Fields and Fences; Near and Far – Port Townsend, WA. Bishop Victorian Solo Exhibtion
ISAP/USA 9th Annual International Exhibition – Delray Beach, FL. Cornell Museum of Art & History Juror: Pat Dews AWS, NWS
Capitol City Visual Arts Exhibit – Olympia, WA.
Sequim Arts Annual Show – Sequim, WA. “River at Dusk” Merit Award
2005
Small Expressions IV – Northwind Arts Center – Port Townsend, WA
Art Port Townsend – Northwind Arts Center – Port Townsend, WA
Edmonds Arts Festival – Frances Anderson Cultural Center – Edmonds, WA
Capitol City Visual Arts Exhibit – Side Door Studio – Olympia, WA
2004
Small Expressions III – Northwind Arts Center – Port Townsend, WA
Figuratively Speaking – Northwind Arts Center – Port Townsend, WA
PUBLICATIONS
Watercolor Artist, February 2011, “Watermedia Showcase Competition” Honorable Mention, “A New Season” acrylic on canvas, 30×40, pg. 33
Western Art Collector, May 2009, article pgs. 68-71 “Complex Connections”
The Billings Gazette, June 5, 2009, article Webb, Jaci. “Tiller’s youth on SD farm inspires bold paintings”
The Artist’s Magazine, July/August 2008, front cover and article pgs. 30-35 Secor, Deborah. “A Cultivated Order”
The Artist’s Magazine, March 2008, page 38, 21 Artists Over 60, Dobush, Grace. “Splendid Over 60-Starting Over”
Wine Country This Week, April 11, 2008 edition, page 48, MJ Schaer Gallery Welcomes New Gallery Artist, Don Tiller
Port Townsend & Jefferson County Visitors Guide, April 12, 2006 edition Northwind Arts Alliance, published photo for ad, page 43, “Summer Pasture”, acrylic, 18″ x 22″
The Port Townsend Leader, WEEK A & E, February 1, 2006 Meyer, Kathy. “Making the Jump”, cover story
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Art Guide Northwest, pg. 54, gallery ad
American Art Collector, May 2008 feature ad for Rive Gauche Gallery, “All In One”, acrylic, 48″ x 36″
Daniel Smith 2007-2008 Reference Catalog – published photo page 207, “Suppertime”, acrylic, 48″ x 60″
The Port Townsend Leader, WEEK A & E, February, 2007 published cover photo, “Sunshine in the Lavender”, acrylic, 32″ x 40″
The Port Townsend Leader, WEEK A & E, June 14-20, 2006 published cover photo, “Chillin on Monday”, acrylic, 36″ x 48″
The Port Townsend Leader, WEEK A & E, Wednesday, November 1, 2006 published photo for Art Walk article, “Sharp Curve”, acrylic, 48″ x 36″
Art Guide Northwest, October 2005-April 2006 “Overlook”, acrylic, 18″ x 22″, published photo
The Port Townsend Leader, WEEK A & E, Wednesday, June 14, 2006 “Summer Reading”, published cover photo “Chillin”, acrylic, 36″ x 48″
The Port Townsend Leader, WEEK A & E, Wednesday, October 5, 2005 “Juried art show, gallery tour anchors festival”, published photo, “Summer Pasture”, acrylic, 18″ x 22″
AFFILIATIONS
Artist Trust, member
Northwind Arts Alliance, Board Member
International Society of Acrylic Painters, Signature Member