Profile

A Passion for Light – Artist’s Statement

Oil painter of land and sea. 

I’m inspired by the early morning light, whether dancing on water, reflecting off a silent snow, or shining through the trees.  Although my paintings are sometimes perceived as lonely or bleak, I unashamedly paint the beauty to capture sense of majestic freedom of which we are all a part.  I concentrate on a time, once gone, a memory, which can never be repeated, rather than a particular place.

By simplifying the forms of the landscapes through the use of a limited and muted palette, I aim to extract the detritus to focus more on a spiritual serenity.  The application of light and dark in my work serves not only to bring depth and perspective but also to emphasise the force and power of creation.

I use ‘secret formula’ hand made glazes which, when painted in layers, help to emphasise light and shadow allowing for a rich build of colour and structure.  Each painting is unique and commits to canvas a fleeting moment which will never surface again.

About

Dawn has work published by International Graphics in Germany. She has worked in theatre and film, most noteably for the BBC and the National Theatre, and has had work featured on Channel 4 Television. Her work has also been shown in Sunday Times StyleElle DecorationHouse & Garden, Vogue, Homes & Gardens and English Home magazines.

Training

Chelsea School of Art, London. MA Public Art & Design

dawn reader
Dawn Reader

Selected Exhibition History

2025Art and Horse Racing Gallery, Suffolk
2023-25West of Wales Art Centre, Pembrokeshire
2023-24Bradford Gallery, Wiltshire
2921-25Aubergine Art Gallery, London
2020-24Salthouse Gallery, Cornwall
2020-21St Ives contemporary, Cornwall
2019-21London House Gallery, Pembrokeshire
Creates Gallery, Monmouth
Fresh Art Fair, Cheltenham and Ascot
Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Somerset
2018Free Painters and Sculptors, London
2017-19Heritage Courtyard Gallery, Somerset
2016-18Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
2015Box Galleries, London
2014Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh
2011-13WH Patterson  London
2011Northcote Gallery (solo) London
2010Lucy B Campbell Fine Art (solo) London
Rotterdam Art Fair Holland
Dubai Art Fair Dubai
Discerning Eye The Mall Galleries London
2009Utrecht Open Art Fair Holland
2008-12Lucy B Campbell Fine Art London
2008Langton Street Gallery (solo) London
2008-10Art London
2006-21Northcote Gallery London
2006New Grafton Gallery (solo) London
Eyestorm/Britart London
Royal College of Art London
2005‘Art 26’, Westbourne Studios. New Jersey, USA.
Royal College of Art, London.
New Grafton Gallery, London.
Kendalls Fine Art, Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Glasgow Art Fair, Scotland.
2004New Grafton Gallery, London Oxo Tower Gallery, London.
200328 Cork Street, London.
New Grafton Gallery, London.
Fresh Art Business Design Centre, London.
20:21 Commonwealth Institute, London
2002Fresh Art Business Design Centre, London.
David Curzon Gallery, London.
Affordable Art Fair, London.
Beverley McNeil, Florida, USA
1997American College London
1995Contact Gallery, Norwich
1994Alexandra Palace, London
1992Ben Uri Gallery, London
1991London Institute Art Gallery, London
1990Crypt Gallery, London
1989Square Gallery, London
dawn reader at easle
Dawn at easle