About
About Dawn
Dawn Crothers paints from her studio in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is based in an historic stable building on Lismachan Estate, in the Glenmachan area. Her family home is within walking distance of her studio, where she lives with her husband and two sons. From childhood Dawn was a bit of a day dreamer spending many days drawing and making things. Mostly sketching animals, when she was growing up, she wanted to be veterinary nurse, often bringing home injured animals to her mother’s despair, from stray dogs to wounded birds in shoe boxes.She generally has a love for nature and the outdoors. Her happiest memories running freely around her family caravan sites, in Northern Ireland’s magical seaside towns and countryside.
She enjoyed Studying Fine Art at the University of Ulster but decided to leave early as she started selling her paintings in a local gallery. As a result, she would describe herself as a self-taught painter and in many ways feels this helped her create her own style early on. Marc Chagall has had the greatest influence on her and her work. In high school she came across a Marc Chagall book in the library. For Dawn her art career started the moment she caught glimpse of his bold and colourful brush strokes and fantasy themed work. It was an instant connection; she adored his beautiful dream like paintings. From then on, she knew her life would involve in art someway.
Dawn medium of choice is oil on canvas, depending on what the subject is she may use different techniques. For example, her famous Snail paintings are created using paints straight from the tubes applied thickly and haphazardly, using quick movements, blending colour and texture together to create the desired affect. Other works are started by sketching with charcoal on the canvas firstly then applying the paint in gentle layers using paint from her palette. Working from photographs and drawings made from life or her imagination.
Dawn painting one of her Snail Tree original oil paintings in her studio
Dawn was one of the few lucky Irish artists to hit the ground running in the early days of her career. With her first solo exhibition in October 2008 being such a massive ‘sell-out’ success, she quickly established herself as a household name in Northern Ireland. In fact, as Dawn’s popularity has grown her impact on a much higher level is starting to be felt. Now, it seems every one of her finished paintings naturally achieves collector status.
When painting, Dawn likes to close herself off from everything to fully concentrate on what she wishes to achieve, experimenting as she goes along to reach an aesthetically pleasing image.
While studying art she enjoyed creating sculpture and its influence is still alive in her paintings. Perhaps in the way she adds layers and textures to position her work in an almost three-dimensional arrangement or her use of materials and the way she scrapes into the paint to add a depth to her work.
All of Dawn’s paintings reflect her personality with their bubbly and approachable attributes. She wants people to relish in the many humorous characters and scenes she brings to life and hopes that the viewer sees the emotion she portrays in her work. Most of all she wants people to feel happy looking at her paintings and to feel the light-hearted side to life.
Exhibitions
2024 Ulster Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, Belfast
2024 Ulster Society of Women Artists Spring Exhibition, Antrim
2023 Solo Dog Exhibition, Whalley Fine Art, Belfast
2023 Ulster Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, Belfast
(WINNER of President's Award)
2022 Solo Exhibition, New Works, Whalley Fine Art, Belfast
2021 Solo Exhibition, Staycation, Whalley Fine Art, Belfast
2020 Solo Exhibition, Christmas, Whalley Fine Art, Belfast
2019 Solo Exhibition, Clowns of the Sea, Whalley Fine Art, Belfast
2018 Solo Christmas Exhibition, Whalley Fine Art, Belfast
2017 Solo Exhibition, Cameron Landscapes, Belfast
2016 Birthstone Solo Exhibition, Whalley Fine Art, Belfast
2015 Opening Group Show, Art Care, Belfast
2015 Group Christmas Show, The Art Agency, Surrey
2015 Group Christmas Show, The Gallery Kinsale, Ireland
2015 Solo Exhibition, Christmas, Whalley Fine Art, Belfast
2015 Group Show Lavelle Art Gallery, Clifden, Ireland
2014 Solo Exhibition, Arts for All Gallery, Belfast
2014 Edinburgh Art Fair
2014 Liverpool Contemporary Art Fair
2013 Group Christmas Exhibition, Whalley Fine Art, Belfast
2013 The Mulberry Tree Gallery, Dorset
2013 The Inchmore Gallery, Inverness, Scotland
2012 Solo Exhibition, McAllister Fine Art, Surrey
2012 The Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York
2010 Group Exhibition The Millbank Gallery, Templepatrick
2010 Group Exhibition Killarney Art Gallery, Ireland
2010 Group Exhibition the Whalley Gallery, Holywood
2010 Irish Interiors Ulster Tatler, Exhibition, Belfast
2009 Group Exhibition, Whalley Gallery, Holywood
2008 Group Exhibition, Grand Opening of Whalley Gallery, Holywood
2007 Group Exhibition, The Yard Gallery, Holywood
Collections/ Corporate
A & L Goodbody, Belfast
Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, Haematology Ward, Belfast
Daisy Lodge, Cancer Fund for Children, Newcastle, County Down
Tiny Life, Belfast
Cancer Research, UK
Dame Mary Peters LG, CH, DBE, DStJ
Wee Care, Day Nurseries, Belfast
Sir Hugh Orde
Dillon Bass Ltd
Mercer Dental, Bangor, County Down
Hamilton Road Surgery, Bangor, County Down
Coast Restaurant, Holywood
Hope House, Whitehead, Northern Ireland
McHughs Bar, Belfast
Cosmetech, Kings Road, London
The Neptune Group, London
The Snail House is a new and innovative Air BnB style 'Dawn Crothers' themed vacation stay based in the centre of Donaghadee.
The house was completely refurbished during the first Covid -19 lockdown in 2020 and has been stylishly decorated throughout.
The house is fully refurbished to a hi end and hi tech spec.
There is a large master bedroom with views to the sea. Super King luxury Hotel quality bed and designer feature lighting with a 42” TV.
The smaller second bedroom has 2 single beds with Hotel quality matresses and a 30” TV.The house also has Wifi throughout and a Nest Heating system and Alexa devices.
The living room has a luxurious corner sofa with 55” TV leading to a modern contemporary kitchen with all mod cons and Video screen alexa. There are various board games to use too!
There is a modern bathroom with complimentary towels and Fat Budda toiletries on the ground floor leading to the decking,fire pit seating area and garden.
Lighting outside is all full operated by remote control and there is a lovely decking area with café seating for coffee.
The firepit area can seat loads of people with its own fit pit. Beyond that is a 4m x 4.5m artificial grass area.
Then at the rear of the garden we have built a purpose built garden snug/party room/art studio.
containing 55” TV and wall hung flame electric remote control fire. Sofa and soft seating area. This area can also be used as an art and craft area
The house also has a Snail Honesty Souvenir Shop…you simply log on to the wall mounted Ipad choose what you like be it a painting, print of product that’s in the house ,pay via the website and then take it from the shop when you are leaving!
The house is situated in William Street directly beside the Common and Beach and the nearest shop is 1 minute walk away!If your interested in staying in the Snail House please send me an email!