Howdy! I’m Dawn Pedersen (she/her).
My artistic focus is on the unique lives and personalities of animals. I want viewers to feel the individuality in my subjects’ eyes and postures.
My paintings are a reverberation of my love of all creatures, of people, of the microcosmos, and of life itself. They are lively, playful, and a celebration of nature. They are typically full of color, whimsy, and ornament.
My ongoing challenge is to find ways to explore other kinds of minds. I intend for the viewer of this work to feel curiosity and empathy for the wildlife in their world so they can live more fully as a participant in their local ecology. I’d like people to see the potential energy in their fellow animals, and then the possibility within themselves–to protect other species, restore native habitats, and make accommodations for wildlife. Our wild neighbors have lived here much longer than we have.
My influences include classical realism, pop art, surrealism, and wildlife illustration. There aren’t very many art techniques I haven’t tried, nor animals I don’t think are adorable. I even adore spiders and wasps.
I live in West Sacramento, California with my husband, our son, and our loving, photogenic cat Loki.
Dawn’s CV | Media | Marketing Usage
