Featured Artist: Don Collins

Don Collins was the artist of the Miller Blueprint calendar from it’s point of inception, 1978, throughout his lifetime and even past. We believe we have produced the last Don Collin’s calendar for 2026. Don lives in my heart as one who lived life fully, not wasting a minute. His last years (well into his 90s) was full of travel which included Ireland as well as an African safari. Nothing stopped Don!  Below is the Bio we’ve been using for Don’s work for years. I want to include a piece of his work in our 2027 calendar, so we will use this nice painting from Valentine, Texas. A piece owned by Dwayne and Billie Kelley, and the cover of Don’s 2026 calendar.

Born in Houston in time to launch the Great Depression, Collins was raised on his Irish Grandfathers small ranch in Parker County, Texas and spent an
idyllic boyhood on the banks of the Trinity River. Art became almost an obsession at an early age.

After service in the United States Army Remount Service (Horse Cavalry) during the Korean Conflict, Collins graduated with a BFA from the University of Texas – Austin and immediately began a 56-year career as a free-lance commercial illustrator in Austin. This encompassed a wide variety of subjects,
and in 1967 easel painting and art shows were added to his resume.

Don passed away with loved ones nearby on October 4th, 2024.