Art crucial for well being
From our weekly issue dated August 11, 2010
Debora Dawson
Life without art. Is it worth living“
Illinois Valley watercolor artist Debora Dawson would answer, “No.“ She recalls how before she married, she told her partner that if ever she had to choose between her art work and him, she’d have to choose art.
“I knew all my life that I couldn“t live without art and be happy,“ she stated.
Following a recent move, Dawson found limited workspace for her watercolor paintings at her kitchen table. With her husband“s encouragement, she opened the Artful Being Studio, at 119-1/2 S. Redwood Hwy. (upstairs) in Downtown Cave Junction earlier this year to satisfy that need to do art.
A quick and prodigious painter, Dawson has created a thick body of work. She estimates that she“s sold some 400 paintings during the past 20 years.
On Friday, Aug. 13, the Artful Being will hold an open studio day, art show and sale. Water color demonstrations at noon and 6 p.m. Items available for sale will include works created as demonstration pieces for her art students.
Dawson believes that art should be considered a necessity when it comes to spending, not a luxury to be cut when situations get tight. She“s committed to making original art affordable. She does not make prints “ she sells only original paintings.
In her vivid work, Dawson draws on and connects with the natural world. She often works from digital photographs, although one award-winning work features agates gathered at the beach, which she brought home to study in a bowl of water.
“The hard thing as an artist is to take Nature and make it look as natural (in a painting),“ said Dawson.
Through increasing familiarity with her subject “ trees, water, flowers “ more of her work is done from memory. Much of her “realistic“ work is produced as demonstration pieces for students.
She noted, “I am at a point where I am taking it to a little more abstract level. Once you become a copyist, that“s all well and good, but I want to break free of that.
“I think the hardest thing for someone who wants to be an artist or study art is to let go and have fun with it.
“They forget to let go and not worry about the outcome. Eventually it will all click in, but you have to not get so frustrated that you stop.“
Dawson offers classes to share her love of art, the medium and her skills. Beginning in September she will hold a series on expressive drawing, which she explains helps the artist connect with and translate the feelings evoked by a subject.
This exploratory class, she explains, is about using the line and shape to express a subject from within.
“It should just be a fun creative exerciser to loosen up,“ she observed.
After that, “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain“ help pupils learn to “tighten up and become more accurate in our drawing perceptions.“
For more information about the open studio day, art sale or classes, contact Dawson at birchgirlart@yahoo.com or phone 541-415-1191.
We want to hear from you!
Add your thoughts with the link below.
Comments returning soon!
Advertisement:
