Dawn Joy ~ Artist Bio

"I love to create innovative characters with vibrant colour, childlike simplicity, abstract form, and dimensional texture. One day in the year 2000, I decided to attempt drawing by closing my eyes and sketching a cat from my imagination. And so this magical journey began . . . leading to one animal critter and character after the other. I was searching for a meaningful way to create and I discovered it had always been within."

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Dawn Joy is a self-taught artist who works in acrylic on canvas, paper collage, and digital media. Dawn Joy is a juried member and shows with the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) located in Victoria and Vancouver, and the Island Illustrators Society (IIS) who have recently decided to use one of her images for their advertising. In addition, one of her images was licensed for a 2009 Women's Conference at the University of Victoria. Images are available as originals on canvas & wood, prints, posters, plaques, cards, and fridge magnets.

Memberships: Juried Member, Island Illustrators Society and Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA), Saanich Pennisula Arts Club (SPAC), Community Arts Council (CAC) Greater Victoria.

Awards: Runner-up Peoples' Choice Award Best Artist - Moss St. Paint-In, July 2008, SPAC 50th Anniversary Show and Sale, April 2003, Juror's Choice Award and Patron's Purchase Award. - CAC of Greater Victoria Juried "Look" exhibitions, informal, Peoples' Choice Award, 2001.

Exhibitions: 2009 FCA Vancouver Human Figure Show, 2009 CAC Look Show, 2008 MacPherson Playhouse FCA Show, 2007 Sooke Fines Arts Show (juried), 2006 Spirit Bears In The City Commission for B.C. Lions Club Society titled: "Was It Just A Dream? ~ A Tribute to John Lennon, 2006 Saanich Municipal Hall Centennial Banner, "Cats Having Fun In Oak Bay" Show - Frame-Up Gallery, Christmas Show 2005 Craigdarroch Castle, SPAC Spring Show, May 2005. - Federation of Canadian Artists, "Spring Show", Victoria, 2005 & 2004 (juried) - Community Arts Council of Victoria, "Self-Portraits" exhibition, 2002 (juried) - Out-Of-Hand Gallery "For the Fun of It", 2002. Victoria BC

artstudio at purpleartdog.com