Don Oriolo is coming to GDCF: Blue Arrow September 23rd!

Don is an American artist, musician, and writer best known for his work in the music publishing industry and for overseeing the Felix the Cat cartoon franchise after his father, Felix co-creator Joe Oriolo, died in 1985. Don Oriolo also owns and operates the Oriolo Guitar Company, a guitar, bass, and ukulele manufacture company whose products often feature Felix and other Oriolo-designed artwork. Oriolo has also authored a number of books featuring his paintings of Felix the Cat, whom he describes as his creative muse. Some of his music publishing credentials include writing Jon Bon Jovi's first charted track, as well as signing Meat Loaf and Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam.

Blue Arrow is also the brainchild of Don, a lifelong animal activist. When the overgrown, falling down farm came up for sale, Don made a commitment to buy it and bring it back to its one-time glory of the winter headquarters for the Meadowlands racehorses — the difference being that Don’s mission was to create a loving, safe environment for the horses (and every other animal for that matter) that need rescuing from ofttimes deplorable conditions. Don took this on using his own personal resources. Horses, alpaca, cows, sheep, goats, mules, chickens, ducks, and pigs who were tossed away, being sent to slaughter, were all rescued and given sanctuary by Don and his amazing staff.