Burl Dawson

2D Instructor | Painting | Drawing | Plein Air

Burl J. Dawson Jr. was born in 1953 in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended Swain School of  Design in New Bedford, Massachusetts, majoring in painting, with a minor in design, obtaining a  Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1976. Burl returned to school at Southeastern Massachusetts  University, earning a Master's Degree in Art Education in 1986. In June 2018 he retired after  teaching art for 29 years in North Smithfield Public Schools in northern Rhode Island. 

Burl and his family reside in the Green Hill Beach area of South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Burl's  paintings capture the Rhode Island coastline in all seasons. 

Artist’s Statement 

Compositionally, there is a visual tension that occurs between forms as it creates space or  depth in a painting. This tension has a psychological effect on our subconscious. Using  somewhat of an impressionistic approach to painting I focus on the figure, landscape and its  imagery. My intention is to have you, the viewer, be drawn into my work and hope that you  feel something within you just as I did as I was painting it. Out of all the art elements, color is  my favorite. In addition to the linear perspective, I am trying to create atmospheric perspective  through the use of color harmony, brushwork and the application of paint. It is basically, the  essence of the day I am trying to capture and create in my paintings. If I can get you to feel  emotionally, that you are part of my paintings then, I think I’m onto something. 

Website: www.burldawson.com