– by Gillian Crowley –
Dawn Ritchie’s middle name, “Joy,” is a perfect reflection of her painting style and her philosophy. Whimsical creatures painted in primary colours almost spring to life on the wall of her home. A self-taught artist, Dawn says she learned “to give permission” to herself to chase her creative passion.
A turning point in her life came in 1996 when she took a course from Jimmy Wright, a down-to-earth artist well known for painting iconic hill-shaped polar bears. Dawn says: “I never thought I could draw more than a stick man so I didn’t think I could ever be an artist. Jimmy encouraged me to freely apply paint to canvas and not worry about having an image in mind.” Her earliest works have the primitive energy of animal cave paintings.
Five years later, she gathered up her courage, shut her eyes, and tried drawing a small figure of a cat. Once she opened her eyes, connected the lines and applied watercolour to the cat, she was happy with what she saw. That was the breakthrough and soon many other animal figures came pouring out. “The animals I create seem to have the will to be born and I try not to judge the way they want to look.”
Building confidence in her artistic expressions was the next – and most difficult – step. At first she transferred her small paintings onto fridge magnets which she sold at the Peninsula Country Market at the Saanich Fairgrounds. Her confidence grew as she received praise and encouragement from those buying her work. Eventually she branched out to make cards, then painted larger canvases and now produces prints. Her bold, quirky figures look like they are just waiting to illustrate the right children’s book.
Today she works in acrylic on canvas, paper collage and digital media. During the Peninsula Artists Studio Tour last fall, Dawn displayed her paintings at Tulista Park Gallery. This year she is part of the Island Illustrators Travelling Alphabet Show, which has a monthly rotation to eight Greater Victoria Public libraries, and later will participate in the Illustrators Coast Collective Fall Show.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Dawn immigrated with her family to Winnipeg and at age 12 she and her family moved to Victoria where she fell in love with the sea. Life took her to Vancouver, California, Toronto and then finally, in 1992, back to the Island. In 2012 she moved to Sidney where she says: “I love the friendly people, the sea walkway, and all the sculptures around the town.”
With formal education in commerce and marketing, she is tuned into different ways to promote her art, and is searching for her niche market. She says: “I dream of licensing my images for products and animation film.”
Dawn’s advice to others who would like to become artists is to ” follow your heart, be true to yourself and honour your unique style. Also try closing your eyes!” She has faced many hurdles on her journey to become an artist, but made the commitment to herself to persist no matter what happened.
“When something is your passion it feels like it’s chosen you and you can never give it up.”
