Artist's Statement
I prefer to have my work speak for itself. However, I will tell you a little about myself, as an artist. I have been making art “forever”. I sold my first painting when I was 10 years old and accepted my first commission when I was twelve. Since then, I have been on a one way path of making art. I had a strong art education in high school under the tutelage of Mr. Edward S. Fish. I attended the
University of
Wisconsin at
Eau Claire, majoring in art. I did not, however, graduate. But I did keep on making art! For a period of about 5 years, my main medium was weaving. The market for that type of art waned and therefore, I returned to my first love, painting.
In those days, I was painting with oils and acrylics, but found little fulfillment in the process of painting. One day, however, I attended an art show and was struck by the watercolors that were painted in a very realistic manner. The works were not wishy-washy as was the custom at the time. I immediately went back to my studio and tried my hand at “dry watercolor” painting. A whole new world of art was awakened for me. It is a challenging technique with very little room for errors. The first few years were spent teaching myself the technique of painting on dry paper. Once I got a grasp on the way I wanted to paint, I concentrated on producing still lifes in the tradition of the Dutch masters, striving to achieve the chiaroscuro of light.
Some of my paintings have deviated from the traditional still lifes of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Toys are beginning to play a more important role in my work. I enjoy the smiles that are seen on my customer’s faces when they view a toy painting. I have had people try to find deep psychological meaning in the toy painting but let me assure you, there is none. The toy paintings are just there to make the viewer happy and hopefully they will regain the feeling of the wonderment and awe of childhood. Jack Becker, executive director of the
Minnetonka
Center for the arts said, “Her subject matter is obviously very personal, but it has universal appeal.” What Mr. Becker said is very true of my art. I paint what I find fascinating, whether it is vegetables, flowers, fruit, fauna, toys or other man made objects. The scope of what I can paint goes from portraits of semi trucks, (commissioned) to whimsical pieces employing monkeys and/or toys for a sense of play and a touch of humanity in my still lifes. I find the world around me fascinating and I try to bring my sense of fascination to my viewers and clients. Mr. Becker goes on to say, “Technically, not only does she have total mastery of a very difficult medium, she is an excellent draftsman. Her pieces are perfectly drawn and her use of color is remarkable.”
Several years ago, while on my daily walk, I made friends with a crew of construction workers that were working in my neighborhood. One day, I was struck by the beauty and intricacies of their tool belts. To me, the belts were walking, working still lifes. I asked one of the workers if he would model for me. He agreed and a series of 12 drawings of “The Guys” were executed. I chose drawing over watercolor as I felt the black and white would have more impact on the viewer plus the simplicity of the medium seemed more appropriate for such a “mundane” subject matter. I am very proud of “The Guys” series.
I have now returned to painting exclusively in watercolor. I am always “pushing” the paint, trying to and hopefully succeeding in getting the quality of light. I hope you enjoy looking at my work and please note, all pieces are for sale except for the ones that say “sold”. All, also, are available in prints. Please contact me at kdawson1393@charter.net for quotes on prices and shipping. All sales are subject to 5.5% Wisconsin sales tax. Enjoy!
“The artist is the person who makes life more interesting or beautiful, more understandable or mysterious, or probably, in the best sense, more wonderful." George Bellows (1882-1925), American painter
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