Don Zylius

Born in 1935, Don Zylius lives actively and paints with passion in Sisters, Oregon. He enjoys fly fishing, hiking, and surrounding himself with the natural beauty of the central Oregon region. Don moved to Central Oregon in 1970 and commercial art endeavors occupied his first few years. However, the region’s natural splendor proved irresistible, and he gradually found himself immersed in the delicate wildlife and floral paintings for which he is now so widely recognized. Although largely a self-taught watercolor naturalist, Zylius’ amorphous wet wash painting techniques have garnered acclaim and admiration from peers and collectors alike. His unmatched talent allows him to bring a mystical and enchanting mood to his paintings – something rarely achieved with this medium.

Click on any image below to see an enlarged view.

Following 25 years as an award winning graphic designer, including an internationally acclaimed self-published nature storybook, "FIRE MOUNTAIN: The Eruptions of Mount Saint Helens," Gary expanded his horizons out of corporate communications. He traveled extensively to Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, the Caribbean, and the South Seas. It was on these journeys that he honed his photographic skills. 

In 1995, while traveling in Rarotonga, his kidneys failed. Back in Portland, a willing sister was the perfect organ donor. Grateful for life, he became more determined to perfecting his gift for fine art landscape photography.

Following his recovery, he moved to Camp Sherman on the banks of the Metolius River. Here he would focus on capturing the rare beauty of this valley and share it with the world.

In 2010, Gary lost most of his eyesight as a result of pigment dispersion glaucoma. Yet he masterfully continues to capture the raw beauty of Northwest landscapes, but his first true love is the Metolius Valley. He has earned a reputation as the "Ansel Adams of the Metolius."

You can see more of Gary's work at his website or Facebook., and more of his story at Youtube.