My Story
At heart, my playful paintings and designs are simply the vessels into which I can pour colour and add pattern.
Much of my art is created through a technique I call ‘intuitive painting’.
This involves creating layer upon layer of different colours and textures, producing shapes and images that can then be worked into with finer detail.
Rooted in spontaneity, my method frees me from traditional imagery, allowing more imaginative expressions to emerge.
It is the most joyful, playful way I have ever experienced painting, as I never fully know what will be revealed before I start, each brushstroke creating something new and unexpected.
My love of designing and making things began at a very early age.
I was about six years old when I started knitting and sewing dolls clothes and tiny curtains and bed covers, making the patterns up as I went along. I loved to create different ‘rooms’ with bits of furniture in boxes and enjoyed changing things around to see how they looked. (I still do that now, only in real houses!)
The backdrop to my formal art & design education was amazing.
The fashion was Mary Quant and Chelsea Girl and the music scene was bursting with incredible talent, (think Pink Floyd, Genesis, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Leonard Cohen, Jethro Tull – you get the picture).
I completed a two year foundational art course followed by three years with the Society of Industrial Artists & Designers, focusing on interior, furniture and product design
This led to an exciting role at Habitat in London, where I worked with stunning fabrics and wallpapers.
I’ve also enjoyed roles as an Art Education Officer, Design and Craft Teacher in Waldorf education, Art Gallery Curator and currently as a passionate Art Tutor, both in – person and online.
What some of my lovely students say …
“Loved the lesson, Dawn – and love your spontaneity – looking forward to getting out my set of markers to give this project a go. A great way to explore colour theory and have fun at the same time!”
“This is therapy on a different level. I have found it to be most fulfilling and it has brought out my creative side. I feel more confident within myself. I would advise anyone at all interested to give it a go, because you just never know what you are capable of. Dawn is a wonderful teacher and always inspires with each new project.”
“I got really absorbed in experimenting in the different areas with new pattern ideas. It was interesting to just feel free to start painting and drawing and see what worked well and what didn’t. What a fun way to learn. Thank you.”
My gratitude as this website has been part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
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