David Dawson’s earliest inspiration in drawing came from his dad. As a child, David and his twin brother would sit on the arms of a big armchair watching as their dad sketched bucking horses and cowboys. Also encouraged by an aunt and an elementary school teacher, David pursued his interest in art by studying commercial art at the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD).

While studying commercial art at OCAD, David discovered architecture and interior rendering. After graduating, he work for Parkin Architects in Toronto for five years then worked on his own doing architectural renderings.

"I sometimes look at my drafting table on which I paint and find it hard to believe that tucked away in the Canadian Shield in Muskoka, in my small studio, I have had the privilege to illustrate architectural projects for the Afha Khan buildings in Beijing, Jakarta, Kiev and New York City for example. The first illustrated depictions of the Toronto Skydome and the Calgary Saddle Dome were first realized in little old Gravenhurst," reflects David who has received international acclaim for his renderings in gouache and watercolour.

This background in architecture and design influences David’s imagery and his experience in gouache allows him total freedom in expressing images through colour, light and form.

His current series, which will be shown at the Chapel Gallery this month, studies the relationship of the structure in architecture and the structure in nature through light, form and texture. "Whether I am using the land as my palette or architecture, the mood is set by the use of light and form," explains David. "I wish to show the viewer that light, colour value and composition are as important to the applied arts as to the fine arts."
While the majority of paintings in his solo exhibition will be of the land with some paintings leaning towards abstract expressionism, a few of the pieces will be of architecture.

David’s art has evolved over a long period of time, but it wasn’t until the early 1990s when the recession slowed his architectural rendering work that he had more time to explore painting.

"I’m rarely satisfied with my art," reveals David. "I am very excited when I approach a new work with the ever evolving change that my painting seems to be taking me, towards more abstract expressionism. This really excites me but I don’t know how the public will see it. I hope they will take away a deeper appreciation for the richness that surrounds us everyday in every form," says David.

If you would like to receive e-mail notices of our upcoming exhibitions and shows,
please send an e-mail with your request including your full name and e-mail address.

Located at 15 King Street in Bracebridge, the gallery is open year-round, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. It is closed during the last week of September and the second week of October as well as between Christmas and New Year’s Days. Please check the Calendar of Events for the actual dates. For a map, please follow this link.

Exhibitions are booked one year in advance. To learn how to apply for a show, please follow this link: Exhibition Application.

The Chapel Gallery was opened in September, 1989. Housed in a reconstruction of the first Presbyterian Church in Bracebridge, the Chapel Gallery hosts exhibitions of art and craft by our members and other local and provincial artists. Exhibitions are selected by the Gallery Committee and change every three to four weeks.

website designed, copyrighted and maintained by
Muskoka Arts & Crafts
Muskoka Arts & Crafts Inc. is located in the District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.