After completing his BFA in sculpture (1993-1995) and a summer print-making workshop in Florence, Italy (1995), Don began sculpting part-time while partnering in the establishment of Vanguard Sculpture Services, a full service sculpture foundry (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) where he specialized in the casting and fabrication of monumental bronze sculpture.

In 1997, Don began to focus on the development of his art work and in 2001 left the foundry business to pursue sculpting and exhibitions full-time. While making this transition, Don also taught an Introduction to Welded Sculpture course at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which he taught in the early 2000's, and again in 2019.

In addition to his professional experience as a Sculptor, Artisan, and Teacher, Don has volunteered with several organizations that have given him unique, hands-on experience with birds, including many years banding young falcons with the Wisconsin Peregrine Society (1992 - 2002, and again in 2019) and as a bird taxidermist at The Milwaukee Public Museum (1992-1994). He is also an avid bird watcher, and holds a Master class falconry permit.

In the past two decades, Don has exhibited his sculptures across the United States and abroad, and has had his work included the international “Bird's in Art” Exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodsen Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin nineteen times. He received the Woodson's “Master Artist Award” in 2017. He has public placements in seven states, and his work can be found in numerous museum and private collections around the world.