Dawn Wakefield

I am a keen mixed media artist with a lifelong thirst for picking up artistic techniques from wherever I can, including seeking  tution from professional experienced artists, attending artists' workshops, meeting other artists in groups, taking life drawing classes, following a course at the Open College for the Arts, and learning from like minded individuals on Instagram, and Youtube. Consequently my style has evolved from semi abstract to become increasingly abstract. What has always been present is a strong use of colour, and I have always liked combining materials. Mostly I paint, but I enjoy creating collage with painted papers too, and occasionally pastels.There are even examples of willow weaving and needle felting creations on display. 

I am not an artist by profession but from passion. It was only when I retired from work as an educationl psychologist a couple of years ago that I could devote the time I wanted to art. I now paint prolifically so there will be in excess of eighty works on  view during Derbyshire Open Arts 2018. . Usually I work in acrylic paint, but I make use of pouring and glaze mediums, inks, Brusho, and Pebeo materials. When creating my landcsape pieces often I will use found natural materials to add the texture. I draw in pencil, graphite or charcoal including Nitram sticks. Some paintings are framed,but most are backed and card mounted ready for framing. This keeps the cost down too. I paint on paper, cardboard, card backed canvas and canvases. 

I am lucky to have a self contained annexe as my studio and gallery, although it is only in late 2017 that I began to offer my work for sale on Etsy after I had some success in being selected for exhibition in open competitions. This wil be the first time that my work has been on display for Derbyshire Open Arts. I look forward to meeting you and showing you round. You are very welcome to have tea or coffee in our peakland village garden. 

Access within the garden is up a gravelled slope from the drive entrance and to Joiner's Cottage itself is up one step. It is on one level. There is a toilet available to use. Parkingfor a couple of cars is available in the drive on the gravel or cobbles or outside the garden on the roadside as there are no yellow lines. .