Dawn McArthur
I have always been immersed in art. I stepped into art education years ago when my daughter’s grade one teacher asked for my help. For the next few decades, I guided children into the world of Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, Norval Morrisseau and countless others, while exploring my students’ own creativity. I thrived on the energy and optimism of my young artists. I hopefully inspired them; I know that they truly inspired me.
Changing careers mid-Covid, I took my passion for art, for people and for our natural environment, and embarked on my own creative journey exploring the wilderness and its wild inhabitants.
Storytelling, vibrant acrylics and wildlife come together, connecting us to our natural world.
The energy and optimism continue, on canvas and in life.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I am a landscape and wildlife visual artist, living in Ottawa and rural Quebec.
My personal mandate is to connect as many people as possible to the beauty around us, that connection instilling a desire to embrace and protect our natural world.
I use rich acrylics to capture nature’s enchanting beauty- storytelling, bold colours, patterns and often humour bring my wilderness experiences and imaginations to life. My paintings are full of playful optimism, a direct reflection of who I am and my positive outlook on life.
I have always been immersed in art. I stepped into art education years ago when my daughter’s grade one teacher asked for my help. For the next few decades, I guided children into the world of Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, Norval Morrisseau and countless others, while exploring my students’ own creativity. I thrived on the energy and optimism of my young artists. I hopefully inspired them; I know that they truly inspired me.
Changing careers mid-Covid, I took my passion for art, for people and for our natural environment, and embarked on my own creative journey exploring the wilderness and its wild inhabitants.
Storytelling, vibrant acrylics and wildlife come together, connecting us to our natural world.
The energy and optimism continue, on canvas and in life.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I am a landscape and wildlife visual artist, living in Ottawa and rural Quebec.
My personal mandate is to connect as many people as possible to the beauty around us, that connection instilling a desire to embrace and protect our natural world.
I use rich acrylics to capture nature’s enchanting beauty- storytelling, bold colours, patterns and often humour bring my wilderness experiences and imaginations to life. My paintings are full of playful optimism, a direct reflection of who I am and my positive outlook on life.
$1,350.00
Acrylic on canvas.
30x24"
Connections are key to humanity, and to the world we live in. Connections are seen and felt everywhere. Connections are what we strive for and are what sustain us. Connections save us.
Connections run through this painting as we gaze upon connections within nature. The wolves are connected in their pack, they and their howls are connected to the full moon and to their surroundings.
We the viewer are connected to the realistic wolves, drawn into the vibrant landscape and held within the framing of the thick, textured birch trees.
The middle wolf holds our gaze.
The number three is a symbol of optimism and wholeness. This repeats itself within “Connections“: the three wolves, the sets of three birches, and our constant trio of land, water, and air.
$1,600.00
Acrylic on canvas (framed).
38x26"
In this painting, we see different species working together.
The emblematic, hard-working beaver swims towards its destination, branch in mouth. It is balanced within the wilderness scene. Its placement is centered, from its nose to the tip of its tail. The fish below are equally spaced across the painting.
The bear in the canoe is not a sight one normally sees. It is playful, and at the same time seen as representing us within the painting.
We are part of and not separate from nature.
The bear and canoe seem centred within the composition, yet the canoe is actually off-center.
We are still working on making connections and finding our place within our natural environment.
These connections are seen throughout the painting, not only through the relationship between the beaver and bear. The beaver’s branch and the bear’s paddle are angled to meet each other if the lines were continued. The angle of the branch and paddle repeats itself within the composition, as seen within the load of branches that the bear is transporting.
The beaver and bear carry their supplies to build a home, swimming towards their unseen destination.