Favored Media: Silk Painting Artist Statement My art reflects awe of God’s creation, Montana’s folded rolls of prairie, blue haze mountains, majestic wildlife, and warm-hearted people. I share Montana through the addictive, yet challenging, non-forgiving media of silk painting. Although traditional silk painting is looser in style, I use a black gutta resist in a more exact drawing style. The gutta must completely enclose an area, much like the banks of a lake, to corral the highly pigmented liquid dye that floods the silk fibers, creating a nearly glowing effect. I have fallen in love with a media who mocks my desire for control, but I enjoy the irony of the battle. My experimentation has lead to a unique style of silk painting. The juxtaposition of the ancient Asian media of silk dying, with its vibrant, intense color, against the traditional western themes of Montana, creates a unique blend of contemporary and conventional visuals.
Biography Although Dawn was born in Santa Clara, California and spent some of her childhood in New Mexico and Idaho, she has lived in Montana for over 40 years. The landscapes and wildlife of Montana provide her current subject matter. She is in love with Montana, from the rugged mountains of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier to the wide expanse of the prairie and sky. She spends much of her summers hiking and kayaking. It was while she was studying with Jean Price at the University of Great Falls she realized silk painting allowed her to combine traditional themes with wild, vibrant color. Although she enjoys many medias, she has become enthralled with the light filled color and movement of dye on silk.
Along with creating art - teaching English, Spanish, and Art inspire her. She has taught for 28 years, most in Power. She has also been married for 35 years to Duane and has three children: Chad 34, married to Emily with grand baby Jet, Eric, married to Casey with grand babies Ellie and Wade, and and Sierra, college student.
Art Experience *Dana Gallery's New Love Exhibition 2024 *Portfolio Magazine's Most Distinguished Body of Work for The Great Western Show 2023 *Peoples' Choice First Place Montana State Fair 2023 *Solo Show at Dahl Gallery (2022) *Dana Gallery My Home Town Show (2021) *Montana State Fair (2021) - 1st People's Choice *Paris Gibson Museum of Art Gift Shop's featured artist November/December (2019) *Montana State Fair (2019) - 2nd People's Choice *Commissioned Mural at Mountain Title Co. Great Falls, MT (2021) *Jay Contway Show (2019 -2023) Combined with Great Western Show in 2022 *Hockaday Museum Salon Members Show (2019-2020) *First place in Mixed media at Montana State Fair (2014-2018) *"Saint Mary's Lake" chosen for Permanent Collection at Montana State Fair (2018) *Shadow of the Past Show (2016-2023) - Live and Silent Auction and Quick Finish *AAM Great Falls Library Show (2016-17) *AAM Missouri Fine Arts Show (2016-18) *Lincoln Art Festival (2017) *Urban Art Project - Downtown Great Falls (2017) - "Seasons" *Paris Gibson Store Show (2015) *Colors of Fall Art Show (2015-19) *Blue Rose/Motifs Show (2015) *Dana Gallery Icons of the West Art Show (2015) *Gallery 16 January Art Show (2014) *Solo Belt Art Gallery December Show (2014) *Colors of Fall Art Show (2014) – Piece chosen for advertising poster and scavenger hunt *Urban Art Project-downtown Great Falls, MT (2014) –“Create in Me a Clean Heart” *Montana State Fair demonstrator with article in Great Falls Tribune (2014-23) *Juror for Montana State Fair (2014) *Participating artist in Paris Gibson Museum of Art Auction (2013-2023) *Portraits and private commissions *Montana Art Mobile (2012 and 2018) *Montana State Fair, Great Falls, MT (1988-2021) - top awards in drawing, scratch art, oil pastels, acrylic painting, and *Power Community Art Show (2009-2022) *Lewis and Clark Foundation Traveling Kite Exhibit (2012) *Urban Art Project-downtown Great Falls, MT (2012,)- “A Mother’s Greatest Feat”