YORKTON - The debut show by Yorkton artist Lynda Dawson is now hanging at the Community pARTners Gallery located in the Yorkton Public Library.
“I was absolutely surprised by it (the opportunity to have a solo show). I wasn’t expecting it at all,” said the 72-year-old artist.
In fact, Dawson, formerly of Churchbridge, is a relative newcomer to creating art for herself.
“I taught school and did a bit of art with students, after school things like drama and pottery,” she said. “But, I never really thought of myself as an artist.
Then at age 60, and retired, Dawson turned to the easel, beginning with watercolours and eventually doing acrylics too.
Taking a few workshops, but without formal art training, Dawson found her love of creating art bloomed.
Recently, Dawson took the step to show her works publicly.
“A friend (Judy Neibergall) encouraged me,” she said, adding thanks to the push she entered four works in the local artist show at the Godfrey Dean Gallery in the city, and that opened the door to the pARTners show.
“I was approached and I was taken aback really. I was excited and scared at the same time.”
Today, Dawson creates in both mediums, noting she finds acrylic more forgiving but watercolour has a Zen-like charm.
“To me it’s almost like a gentle art form,” she said.
When it comes to inspiration, Dawson said its all around in nature, adding she loves landscapes and the birds and animals found there.
“I have so many memories as a child going with my grandfather and grandmother (for walks),” she said, adding back then wildlife seemed everywhere.
Today, Dawson said too many animals are endangered, but when she looks outside in Saskatchewan the landscape and wildlife she still finds inspires her.
Dawson said she knows her art is not perfect, but that’s OK, because it’s creation is about more than the finished product.
To start with Dawson said you should always be willing to try new things.
“No matter how old you are you can learn something new,” she said, adding not every attempt will be ideal, noting in her case “. . . some of them were pretty bad.”
But that never bothered her.
“It’s part of the process, part of the experience,” offered Dawson. “I made mistakes, but I learned so much through them it made me not want to give up.”
The show, located at the Yorkton Public Library will hang until May 31. An artist reception will be held May 13 from 2-4 p.m..
