Don Astras, artist, web designer and instructor of folk art.

Don was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a child, he was his mother's, Ursula Astras, apprentice learning how to construct straw braids and Christmas ornaments, as well as to etch Easter eggs using natural dyes. After serving in the Marine Corps, he took formal art training and life drawing courses at Grand Rapids Community and Aquinas Colleges. He received degrees in Business and Management.

Don loved to draw in pencil, ink and pastels, as well as work with wood. He also helped Ursula stage her art shows, served as her critic and passed on the Lithuanian folk arts to his children and to the public. Don has taught thousands to design and etch eggs at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago, as well as create straw Christmas ornaments at Camp Dainava, the Grand Rapids Public Museum and Frederik Meijer Gardens.

Career
Don worked in sales, marketing and consulting early in his career. It wasn't until he became involved in desktop publishing, that he flourished – winning design awards for his team’s commercial works. Then, he started his own marketing agency, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015.
Don has also taught design and marketing skills at Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University, as well to his clients at Tempest.
http://ladyofwheat.com/don-astras-lithuanian-folk-arts-teacher/