I met Don several years ago when we were both exhibiting in The Bay Studio Tour. Since that time, Don and his lovely wife, Mara, have become wonderful friends. My first chance to photograph Don was alongside his son, Matt, for a magazine I was publishing called Neighbours in the Heart of Tiny, back in 2018. A few of those images from that session are also included in the gallery here.
Don’s studio is richly packed with a fascinating collection of memorabilia, ranging from unique art pieces and vintage cameras to a vast array of vinyl LPs accompanied by a classic record player. It also features intriguing historical items related to auto racing, WWII, and various other genres. You could easily spend hours in there just exploring the impressive assortment and listening to Don’s captivating stories about each and every item on display. Throughout our visit we were joined by the couple’s two charming rescue dogs, Woody and Joni. Can you guess the legendary musicians after whom they were named?
Don lives and works from his cozy home located just steps away from the serene Georgian Bay, nestled along the beautiful Tiny Beaches area, not far from Midland, Ontario. You can view a selection of Don’s remarkable work and reach out to him through his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/donald.pettit.756833.
