Don Rankin's work has captured the attention of many followers, and his online tutorials have instructed more than 500 students worldwide. In the 1950's he became one of the youngest students of  the Famous Artists School in Westport, Connecticut. At the age of 29 he was listed in "Who's Who in American Art."

  His work can be found in many corporate and private collections. His work has also been featured in several national, international and regional publications. He is also the recipient of the 2017 Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award i n Art and Art Education with several books on watercolor technique including Back Roads and Memories, the Art of Don Rankin, a collection of over 5 decades of his work.