Dawson's work will be familiar to those who have watched the Chicago scene over the last decade and a half. In her newest work, Dawson unites objects from the natural environment and autobiographical elements with surreal, dream-like imagery to create work of both physical and emotional depth and complexity. Layers of paint are etched, scratched and subtracted to create a history and to conjure memories.

Says Dawson, "My work evolves from an observation of our natural world, our social circles and our internal psyche. In my work I weave images from past cultures, myths and folklore along with symbolic elements of modern life. I paint intuitively and playfully employing various mediums along the way. I consider my work an observation, meditation and celebration of life."

1989 B.F.A. University of Illinois Chicago, IL 
1983 Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO

Lives and works in Chicago