Don Rast
Abstract and primitative representative artist and writer about life experiences in Viet Nam.
Profile
About Don Rast
Don was born in Brownwood, Texas and is a graduate of Louisiana State University. While attending LSU he was commander of the Army Bengal Raiders, which emphasized training in counter-guerilla tactics and special warfare techniques. He is a Distinguished Military Graduate and holder of numerous art awards. His seven years in the military resulted in a variety of interesting assignments and experiences such as written about in this book, which is a sequel to his first book--"Don's Nam." He was a convoy commander in the 534th and 379th Transportation Companies, 7th Transportation Battalion (Orient Express) in Vietnam; a battery commander with the 8/17th (SP155) Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; project officer for Operation Red Hat (the removal of toxic chemical munitions from Okinawa to Johnson Island. Created and implemented a fifty-man Bureau of Customs contraband detachment while stationed at Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, and served as a company commander of a transportation unit at Fort Eustis, Virginia. His military decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm.
In civilian life, Mr. Rast has owned and operated a 24-hour restaurant (Sambo's), sold insurance, estate planning, and home improvements. He is currently at work on two books while continuing to do abstract paintings. The first of these two books (Bayou Samurai) is about his additional experiences in Asia with the military and Bureau of Customs. The second is a self-help book about how not to get taken by home improvement companies.
His artwork has garnered numerous awards, and he continues to refine his art through study with Larry Casso of the Baton Rouge Fine Arts Academy.
Examples are for sale.
