I graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a BS in Business Administration/Marketing major and Studio Art minor. I loved taking classes in drawing, sculpture, and jewellery. Year two into my studies, my dad offered me sage advice. He said, “You know Dawn, computers are going to take over your industry and you will be sitting in front of a box all day.”
To my dismay, I listened to my dad and changed my course load to marketing. I used those degrees to progress in the field of Market Research. My specialty was syndicated data analytics for the consumer products sector. I worked for and consulted with such companies as: L’Oréal, Revlon, Heineken, BIC, Schick, Energizer, Johnson & Johnson, McNeil, and Diego.
I wound down my corporate life in over-the-counter medications in the pharmaceutical industry.
20 years and an MBA later I was working 10 hours a day in front of a computer and missing something!
On a whim, my sister asked me to join her at a lamp working class. I agreed, hesitantly, as I was so focused on my career, and I thought it would be a waste of time for my Type A personality. Within minutes of this class, I was a different person - feeling reborn again - I was creating with my hands! What an amazing feeling.
My intro into enamelling started with a cloisonné class that was advertised at the Brookfield Craft Centre in Connecticut. Since it was using glass, I thought it might be an extension to my lamp work, but I was in for a surprise.
As you know cloisonné is a constrained technique of keeping within the lines and following the rules and I was done with rules, I wanted to play and experiment. Although I was frustrated, I persevered with 2 additional cloisonné classes over a 3-year period, thinking that this approach to enamelling was more respected.
What I learned is that there are no boundaries to enamelling, and I have developed a few signature designs by combining enamelling with my lamp work experience.
I often get comments at shows from people saying “oh, I used to do that in camp” and I grit my teeth.
I do not know what my technique is - only that it is mine. I just do what I feel now. I sift, paint, scratch, pull, blend, and swirl. I do torch & kiln fired enamelling. I guess you would say I have an organic approach to enamelling.
I love it all.
