thebohemianromantic

Dawn Gaye, a biography of sorts

enigma, defined:
a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
a riddle or paradox.
An enigma can refer to a person of puzzling or contradictory character (: he remained an enigma throughout his career).

Quote from the artist:
"I am different. Many have told me so, and I believe it. I'm a Bible-carrying Bohemian, always attempting to satisfy the wanderlust in my mind and soul. I'm an American flag-waving hippie chick, a punk-rock conservative with libertarian leanings. A Jesus-follower and a free spirit, an artist, a poet. A devoted wife and mom who has a penchant for artistic freedom in all I do. I believe it is never too late to begin life... again. I am completely into beginnings. I don't think you know anyone else like me. I sure don't."

Dawn Gaye has always been known to resist labels. Those who attempt to pigeon-hole her and her work attain little success. She has recently "come out of the closet" as a disabled artist. Due to neuro-muscular issues resulting from spinal cord surgery, she works at a slow pace. Some days she can barely work at all, and pain is a constant. At times, her right hand gives out , and she drops whatever she was doing. Since she opened up about her partial paralysis, many have said that her story is inspirational. She took up clay as a healing therapy. She began to paint with oils and water media, and to make mosaic art and jewelry. She taught herself, mostly from books, sometimes internet, and the rare workshop. She discovered her gift for teaching, was hired by private schools as a part-time art teacher, and taught workshops for all ages. She did art residencies at the area's public schools. She joined art co-ops and art organizations. She did shows, including a one-woman show on Hilton Head Island. Her work has been collected internationally. Dawn Gaye and her husband, J. Howard, opened "Each Others Muse", their "working" studio and formed "JD Creative Ministries", a Non-Profit Arts Outreach Organization.

Dawn Gaye loves to combine pieces into unusual and unique collage or assemblage. Besides creating for meaning and expression, she loves to apply those techniques to create functional and wearable art. Dawn has been called an "Exploratory Artist", and is honored by that description. She paints in oils and watercolor in a myriad of styles, and does her best to keep up with demand for her poignant and original work. She designs one-of-a-kind pieces from jewelry to wall hangings and installations. Her pieces include hand-painted silk, clay, mosaic, fiber, concrete, paint, and re-purposed vintage and found objects. Many of her pieces have been described as having an ancient or historical feel. Dawn is well known for her spiritual artwork. "Prayer Bowls" are her signature pieces, combining the written word with form and texture.

About her currently featured work "Faces" at the SOBA Gallery in Bluffton, Dawn says "I love the human face, with all it's expression and emotion written into each line and pore. I love the way a face can change at a moment's notice, a slight raise of the brow or curl of the lip saying volumes without uttering a word. I love it that our faces were created in His image, and I look forward to gazing upon glorified faces at the end of time."

Dawn Gaye has been teaching art and arts-related classes for all ages in the Bluffton/Hilton Head/Beaufort area for over 12 years. She taught art at the Heritage Academy, Cross School, St. Francis School, and Homeschool Cooperatives. She instructed workshops and residencies at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, the Hilton Head Art League Academy, MC Riley School, McCracken Middle School, the Society of Bluffton Artists, Island Recreation Center, and Bluffton Recreation Center. She has been on the Roster of SC Approved Artists for Residencies for many years.

Her list of accomplishments include being Vice President Arts Council of Southern Beaufort County, Education Committee Hilton Head Art League, other art shows including one-woman shows, many juried art events, Liaison for Heritage Academy-Chamber of Commerce Art Committee, Juried onto Accepted Artists for South Carolina Residencies, Industrial Development Committee, Sussex County, NJ, and Speaker at Rotary, AAUW, and other events.

Howard and Dawn have three grown children: Shaun, a creative entrepreneur living in Beijing; Keith, a Cum Laude Graduate with a degree in Music from College of Charleston who just set out on an adventurous cross country expedition; and Desiree, who attended SCAD for Performing Arts and is now enrolled in Montreat College's exclusive Worship Arts program. J. Howard is Worship Leader and Music Coordinator at The Church of the Cross on Calhoun Street and Youth Music Director. He also teaches and mentors a number of guitar students privately.

"You want labels? I am an enigma; I am an artist. I create for the glory of God. I am a patriot and a Christian warrior. I go to the battle with my colors, my textures, and my hands. I want to express the Creator's universe in all art's glorious forms. It doesn't matter what I did before, or what I may do in the future; it only matters what I am doing now, at this time."
- Dawn Gaye