Small Treasures

'Star Gazer' by Dawn Star Wood

So many of those who are following me on Facebook or Instagram have been noticing that I have been posting on a series of pieces that I'm doing on wood and may be a bit puzzled over what I have going on. Let me go ahead and explain what I have going on to clear up any confusion. 

In the beginning

At the start of the year, I participated in Elk Grove Fine Art Center's juried Fine Art Competition with my piece titled Star Gazer (which has been recently auctioned off at Pence Gallery's 2018 Art Auction, so thank you very much to whoever the lucky bidder was). During the announcements and award ceremony during the competition's artist reception, it was announced that those who there would be given the opportunity to also be a part of EGFAC's Small Treasures show which was being set later in the year. I agreed and things were set into motion. 

For the Small Treasures show, each participating artist is given a set of 5 wood panels and are asked to create a series that has a theme suitable for family viewing. The panels themselves can be decorated in media of all kinds from paint and photography to pencil, collage, mosaic and mixed media.This particular show has been an annual event for a few years now and is quite popular within the community. It's probably due to seeing how different artists from various medias and styles tackle basically the same format. 

Ponder, plot, eh let's go for it

Sister #1 of 'I am Beautiful' series
By Dawn Star Wood

Sister #2 of 'I am Beautiful' series
By Dawn Star Wood

Once I received my blocks, I found my mind blank. It's not that I didn't have a plan. In fact, I actually did have an idea of what I wanted to do but all of those thoughts went to the wayside when I found myself realizing that they would be better put to a different project. So I sat at my desk trying to come up with a Plan B. It may come as a surprise but I've never been very good with doing an entire series of images for the simple fact I find trying to get them to feel to be one cohesive collection yet able to stand strong as a solo piece rather difficult and challenging. There was a voice in my head just freaking out going "What have you done to us?!". Yeah, that was an interesting moment of self realization of having a fight or flight reaction to a project that I said yes to several months prior. What did I do? Basically took the challenge by the horns and went "Let's do this shit". As you can tell, my inner monologue has no censor bar. 

Like I mentioned to my followers on Instagram and Facebook:

As I prepared to rummage through my various reference folders for inspiration, I found myself hitting a wall. For a while I had the thought of doing the elements or even different types of priestesses but as I looked through my collection of image references, something else came to mind. A series of images of various women and the series simply being titled "I am beautiful". It's certainly something that could spur on an entire collection but I think this is a nice start. Amazing what a little brainstorming can do.

What I wanted to do was create a series which pieces, each having a different ethnicity presented. The 'sisters' of the series are based off of photo references that I've collected over the years online of women from around the world. Each time I finish a piece for the collection, I find myself welcoming her to the 'family'. I know, I know. It sounds odd but I can't help the amount of joy I feel with how they're coming out. I'm currently 3 panels in

Sister #3 of 'I am Beautiful' series
By Dawn Star Wood

so have 2 more left to go but I'm quickly finding that each one goes so well together but are able to stand strong on their own. 


Come and see Small Treasures
Will you be in the Greater Sacramento area in November? Want to see and perhaps claim a small treasure of your own? Then I invite you to see the show! 

Small Treasures Group Show & Sale
November 3rd - December 1st, 2018

Elk Grove Fine Art Center
9080 Elk Grove Blvd. 

Elk Grove, CA 95624
p. (916) 685-5992
Wed. - Sat. 11am - 4pm