CAPTURING THE OVERLOOKED
The Lens of Don McMahon
When most people look at a vineyard, they see rows of grapes destined for wine bottles. When Don McMahon looks, he sees an intricate dance of light, texture, and form – a canvas waiting to be captured.
From finance executive to visual storyteller, Don's path has been anything but conventional. Born and raised in the sun-drenched paradise of Santa Barbara – California's own American Riviera – his early life was steeped in coastal beauty. There, while building a successful career in finance and real estate, he developed an eye for detail that would later define his artistic vision.
In 2020, as the world paused, Don made a bold move to the wild landscapes of Paso Robles. What others might have seen as an inconvenient pandemic pivot, Don recognized as an artistic awakening. The Central Coast's rolling vineyards, majestic oaks, and golden hillsides became his studio – an endless source of the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary.
His previous venture – 805 Designated Drivers – didn't just safely transport wine enthusiasts; it unwittingly introduced Don to his true calling. Between tours, his camera found the poetry in what most pass by: gnarled vine tendrils embracing weathered trellises, roses past their prime yet perfect in their decay, defiant thistles reaching skyward, and wood telling stories through its aging grain.
The transformation from hobbyist to recognized photo artist wasn't by accident. Don's unique perspective – finding fascination in the stepped-over and celebrating the unremarkable – has earned his work places of honor in galleries and wineries throughout the region. His artistic eye doesn't just capture images; it reveals what was always there but rarely noticed.
Today, Don's creative universe extends beyond his own photography. As an art dealer and curator specializing in pop-up experiences, he brings the unexpected to unexpected places. His collaborative spirit means he's always seeking connections with fellow artists – an invitation that stands open to anyone with a vision to share.
From his home at Woodpecker Ranch along Highway 46, Don and his four-legged creative director – a stout terrier named Tigger – continue to explore the microcosms of beauty that surround us all. In Don's world, nothing is ordinary when viewed through the right lens.
Collaborations welcome. Art inquiries invited.