Donald S. Lewis, Jr., best known for his oil paintings of the rivers of Bath County, Virginia, and the North Carolina and the Virginia coastline, was the son of a prominent art dealer and collector. Working summers at his father’s gallery, he learned restoration, framing, art history, and the business of art.
At Randolph-Macon College, he majored in Fine Arts, obtained his MFA from The University of Virginia, then spent twenty years working at Auslew Gallery, eventually becoming president. During this time, Lewis found time to paint and work outside with Charles Sibley, a well-known Virginia artist. After closing the business in 1998, he began painting professionally.
Lewis utilizes the American tradition of topographical art blending elements of Luminism, Realism, and Impressionism. He has exhibited at Salmagundi Club in New York City, Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News, Randolph-Macon College, Springville Museum of Art, Springville, UT, and the Hermitage Foundation Museum.