Michael Dawson
Michael Dawson
I am extremely honored to receive this recognition.
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, I moved to Southern California at an early age, and it remained my home for 69 years. After a 29-year career with GE Healthcare, I retired in 2012 and began my painting adventure two years later. One of my neighbors instructed a beginner painting class, where I took my first lesson in acrylic painting. Because of mechanical drawing classes I had taken years earlier, I was able to understand perspective. This unused knowledge complemented my love for detail, and combined with lots of patience, I produced my first paintings that were encouraging enough to continue.
To learn more, I began watching the Sunday morning art shows and YouTube tutorials. With what I learned, along with trial and error, I managed to paint a few pieces together that actually resembled “art.”
I soon learned about the art club in our community and began painting with this group. This gave me the opportunity to ask questions, learn different techniques, and see other art mediums. Acrylic paint has been my main medium of choice, as it allows me to quickly paint over my mistakes, or areas that I feel are simply not working (there’s a lot of that).
My early works were of things I enjoy: golf courses, wine, boats, lighthouses, vineyards, and seascapes. As my skills have expanded, I ventured into larger canvases with other more diverse subject matter: buildings, Hawaiian landscapes, cars, planes, and still life.
At the beginning of 2017 I joined my first art association to challenge myself to show in juried shows. Over the next four years I joined three more Orange County art clubs, which had demonstrations and awards at their monthly meetings. These opened a new door to art education as I learned from other artists and soaked up their knowledge. As my skills grew, I won several awards at the County Fair.
In 2021 we sold our house in California, traveled around the country for three months, and then moved to PebbleCreek in November. After several months of remodeling, I unpacked my art supplies to do a small painting for our kitchen. I joined the PebbleCreek Art Club and participated in the 2022 Art Show. I was impressed at how the club made the show so classy and professional.
After my stroke last December, I started slowly painting with my left hand in March. I then started painting using some different skills. When the email came out for the 2023 Fall Art Show, I entered my three favorite paintings I had completed since my stroke.
Each time I start a new painting, I try to do different subjects to learn more. I have done a total of eight paintings since March. When I paint, I am encouraged and hopeful.
Thanks for everyone’s help and encouragement throughout my journey.
Mike’s paintings can be seen at the Creative Arts Center and both clubhouses.