Dawn Catagnus. Oil Painter
I was raised in Norristown PA, just outside of Philadelphia. Throughout my childhood, I have always used art in many forms to help relieve stress, and allow my mind to disconnect from the troubles of everyday life. As I grew older, I realized this creative process not only allowed me to stabilize my thoughts, it also brought me great joy. When sometimes I couldn’t explain myself, or felt that no one could understand me, I would create something that in some way defined me.
After graduating high school and looking to attend college I felt somewhat lost. What was going to be my major, what do I enjoy doing, what college should I attend? So, I decided to enroll in community college until I could find my true passion. I started as a graphic design major. I hated working with computer programs, and felt no love for what I was doing. During this time, I took 3D design, drawing, and painting classes. These classes brought me back to life and it was then when I discovered what I wanted to be my major.
After my two years and associates degree at community college, I applied to the visual arts school at Penn State University. After being accepted to the school of visual arts I had the opportunity to study under some amazing professors who helped to develop my skills, open my mind, and allow me the freedom to explore. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, I choose to embark on a new adventure.
One month after graduation, I moved to Ocean Beach San Diego. Moving to the beach and forming relationships with truly amazing people was enlightening. After a six year stay in San Diego, I choose to open another door of opportunity and move to Austin, TX.
Throughout this journey, I have found another passion within the food and beverage industry and have used painting a way make connections without speaking a word. Quite the opposite of how I connect through F&B. I hope you enjoy viewing my paintings as much as I do enjoy creating them.
The focus of my work is to lure the viewer to enter a forbidden territory. Being a part of someone’s intimate thoughts makes us feel like we are invading their privacy. I am extending an invitation for you to invade my privacy, explore your own thoughts, and define how each piece makes you feel. Each painting is ment to represent a certain timeframe in my life and I believe that unintentionally, I am the subject of all of my work. The large scale of all my pieces represents the magnitude of emotions and desire that embodied me with each stroke of paint that I put onto the canvas.