“It's exhilarating to be in tandem with nature, which is why plein air seems such a natural fit and progression of my work. I enjoy racing the clock to capture the moment before the landscape changes. It presents a welcomed challenge. Dynamic color is the essence of all my art; it’s a great way to make the pieces more expressive. I want to capture the wind in my painting! "
- Dawn
Dawn Kinney Martin is an Atlanta artist with national and international collectors. Her expressive oilpaintings have earned her recognition in plein air competitions, fine art festivals, and purchase awards, along with community outreach grants and residency programs.
Dawn teaches workshops nationally and has juried many National and Regional competitions. She has also been recognized for creative contribution and service by the Brookhaven Arts Alliance. Her work hangs in the permanent collection of the Harris Arts Center in Georgia and can be seen in juried fine art festivals throughout the country as well as in regional galleries.
Teaching since 2000, Dawn opened DawnArt Studios LLC in Atlanta where she teaches classes and workshops. As part of the 2006 High Museum of Art Louvre Atlanta Summer Teaching Institute, Dawn designed and taught a workshop titled “Self Portrait: Fit for a King,” which included a lesson plan for students in grades K-12 that is now available for educators nationwide. She now teaches private lesson in her studio in Midtown Atlanta.
Dawn earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting at the University of Georgia and attended the William Bray Art Academy. She has done numerous commercial and private commissions as well as scenic and film work.
Recent awards include:
• Second Place, Eatonton Plein Air Competition, 2023
• Second Place, Lake County National Juried Show, 2022
• First Place, Lake Country Juried Art Show, 2020
• First Place, Byron GA Plein Air Competition, 2019
• First Place, Elizabeth City NC Plein Air Competition, 2019
• Purchase Award and Poster Award for Decatur Art Festival, City of Decatur GA 2019
• Second Place and Purchase Award, Art Station Plein Air 2015
• Mount Gretna Judges Choice Award 2016, 2015 & 2014
Artist Residency Grants include:
• 2019 Eatonton GA
• 2015 & 2014 Elizabeth City, NC
•Merit Award from Manhattan Arts International Museum in New York for their juried exhibition Herstory 2004.
