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. Never studying other silk artists in the early stages of working with silk, my experimentation lead to a unique style of silk painting. The juxtaposition of ancient Asian 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 36 years. The Hispanic culture of her childhood influenced her early symbolic work and passion for color, while the landscapes and wildlife of Montana have provided her current subject matter. She is in love with Montana, from the ragged 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 27 years, most in Power. She has also been married for 34 years to Duane and has three children: Chad 33, married to Emily with grandbaby due in May, Eric, married to Casey with nearly 2 year old grandaughter Ellie, and Sierra, college student. Overall, she believes everyone is born with the ability to create and react to art. It is an eternal conversation in a universal language between the artist and the viewer – that is magic. With her art she wants to connect to others through common human experiences.
Art Experience
*Urban Art Project-downtown Great Falls, MT (2012,)- “A Mother’s Greatest Feat” *Lewis and Clark Foundation Kite Exhibit (2012) *Power Community Art Show (2009-2022) *Montana State Fair, Great Falls, MT (1988-2021) - top awards in drawing, scratch art, oil pastels, acrylic painting, and silk *Montana Art Mobile (2012 and 2018) *Portraits and private commissions *Participating artist in Paris Gibson Museum of Art Auction (2013-2022) *Juror for Montana State Fair (2014) *Montana State Fair demonstrator with article in Great Falls Tribune (2014-18) *Urban Art Project-downtown Great Falls, MT (2014) –“Create in Me a Clean Heart” *Colors of Fall Art Show (2014) – Piece chosen for advertising poster and scavenger hunt *Belt Art Gallery December Show (2014) *Gallery 16 January Art Show (2014) *Dana Gallery Icons of the West Art Show (2015) *Blue Rose/Motifs Show (2015) *Colors of Fall Art Show (2015-19) *Paris Gibson Store Show (2015) *Urban Art Project - Downtown Great Falls (2017) - "Seasons" *Lincoln Art Festival (2017) *AAM Missouri Fine Arts Show (2016-18) *AAM Great Falls Library Show (2016-17) *Shadow of the Past Show (2016-2022) - Live and Silent Auction and Quick Finish *"Saint Mary's Lake" chosen for Permanent Collection at Montana State Fair (2018) *First place in Mixed media at Montana State Fair (2014-2018) *Hockaday Museum Salon Members Show (2019-2020) *Jay Contway Show (2019 -2023) Combined with Great Western Show in 2022 *Commissioned Mural at Mountain Title Co. Great Falls, MT (2021) *Montana State Fair (2019) - 2nd People's Choice *Paris Gibson Museum of Art Gift Shop's featured artist November/December (2019) *Montana State Fair (2021) - 1st People's Choice *Dana Gallery My Home Town Show (2021) *Solo Show at Dahl Gallery (2022) *Portfolio Magazine's Most Distinguished Body of Work for The Great Western Show 2023
