Donald Zolan
The Artist

The first time you meet Donald Zolan, you have the feeling of meeting an old friend whom you just haven’t seen for awhile. His warmth, candor and interest in others can disguise the fact that he’s one of our nation’s most talented and popular children’s artists. The love and joy you see in his paintings are a sincere expression of himself.

John Hugunin Sr., former President of Pemberton & Oakes

MEET DONALD ZOLAN

Donald James Zolan was born on August 11, 1937 in a little bungalow on Prairie Avenue in the small village of Brookfield, Illinois a working class suburb near Chicago. He was the youngest child of James and Margaret Zolan. Donald came from very humble beginnings sharing a bedroom in the attic with his brother and his Uncle Lester.

In greeting someone for the first time, Donald always started by saying, “Hi, I am Donald Zolan, an Artist, a humble Artist from Illinois.” The greatness of this man was his simplicity. A positive and forward-looking man, he saw the good in everyone and never spoke unkindly of anyone.

A fifth generation artist, he came from a family of sculptors, painters, engravers, and wood carvers from Germany and the Czech Republic. He started painting at the age of three and it was this burning passion that stayed with him all his life. He would often say, “if something happened to me that I could not paint and create again, I wouldn’t be able to live anymore.” His creativity and painting would remain his first love throughout his life.



A true Mid-western man to the core, his Word was his Word. A very friendly man with a smile for all and always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in need. A soft-spoken man, he was spiritual and profound. He was not a man of many words but great words. And in spite of his many life challenges and crisis, he was a man never to think of himself but always of others.

His favorite President was Abraham Lincoln, his favorite ice cream was vanilla, his favorite dessert was a root beer float, his favorite foods were roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut and white castle hamburgers. He was a family man, a sensitive man, a man with only one passion in life to create great art that would last many lifetimes after him.

He started his day in meditation and painted until the nighttime listening to opera and classical music. He loved nature and the countryside. He was an excellent photographer and computer expert and he was passionate about art, antique cars, opera, and sharing intimate dinners with friends at home.

A profound man guided by a great faith in God, he came from a wonderful loving family who nurtured and supported his deep desire to be an artist.

This is the man that more of the world will come to know in the years ahead as America’s Beloved Painter of Children.



Brookfield family homeView Photo Album

The family in 1948 Donald and Richard (his brother) 1939 Don’s First Painting at the age of Four Donald’s First Studio in the attic at Grandpa Zolan’s home The Young Boy Exhibiting at Chicago’s Gold Coast Art Fair in 1965 Induction to the Chaine Des Rotisseurs  1966 Chicago The Zolan brother’s Nantucket Gallery on Nantucket Island in 1976 Sun City, California with Mother Zolan, Don, and Jennifer  1987 Taos, New Mexico Studio Donald in Elk Grove Park Donald’s Self Portrait, 1976

This site is dedicated to Donald James Zolan, a Great American Painter, who will be forever remembered as the Humble Artist from Brookfield, Illinois. Requiescat in Pace. The legacy continues forward.


“There is only one way to do something and that is the Right way.”
Donald Zolan, everyday life


“I continually rediscover the innocent and curious child inside me. And, I find that I never stop discovering the joys of life.”
Donald Zolan


“I am a humble artist with a burning passion to create day and night. I recognize my responsibility as an artist to Society to create works that can profoundly impact a person’s daily life but most importantly the life of a child.”
Donald Zolan


“I am guided by Faith and inspired by Creativity and I have always known that God has blessed me with this wonderful gift therefore Faith and Spirituality are synonymous with my work.”
Donald Zolan



What will I be
When I Grow Up
(read the article)



CONTACT US

Scottsdale, Arizona
Bologna (Italy)


203.300.3290 (USA)

+39 366 2317118 (Italy)

info@zolanagency.com

jenniferzolan