Donald Florence

I first met Don Florence in 1976, when he was the Art Director at Bonwit Teller, the Venerable Department Store on 57^th Street (sadly out of business, knocked down and buried under Trump Tower).

We did a number of great shootings together, including one catalog using five top models.  For a lark we had them arrive one evening on the guise of doing a re-shoot and brought them all on set just as they were off the street–their clothes, makeup or no makeup, and no changes allowed. When he saw the final picture, Don had the courage to insist that it be the cover of the catalog! Doubtful that a store would do that today.

5 Top Models for Bonwit Teller

On another shoot with one of our favorite models, Karen Bjornson, I did a portrait of Don in Biker mode and Karen as Dusty Springfield.

Beauty and the Beast

As co-incidence would have it, Don now lives just a couple of hours from me in North Carolina and upon discovering the unusual paintings of celebrities that he has been doing for the past few years we decided to show them at my gallery starting December 6^th.

Three paintings by Don Florence

Don Florence at my Studio in Cary 2014

For More about the show click here