Dawn Schmidt
Artist’s Statement
I am inspired by the beauty, energy, and ever-changing light of the world around me. Working with bright colours and loose, expressive brushstrokes, I strive to capture the essence of a place rather than recreate it in exact detail. My paintings explore the interplay of light, colour, and atmosphere, inviting viewers to experience familiar landscapes with a fresh perspective.
Growing up on the prairies of Manitoba, I developed a deep appreciation for expansive skies, endless horizons, and the subtle beauty of the natural landscape. Yet I have always been drawn to the mountains, captivated by their dramatic forms, shifting light, and the sense of wonder they evoke. Although the mountains are far removed from the landscape I call home, they have become an important and inspiring part of my artistic journey.
Whether painting prairie fields, shimmering lakes, mountain peaks, or vibrant cityscapes, I am continually exploring how colour and light can transform a scene. My work is less about capturing a precise moment and more about conveying the feeling of being there, the warmth of sunlight, the movement of clouds, or the quiet magic of a landscape.
Through my paintings, I hope to share a sense of joy, connection, and wonder, celebrating the beauty that can be found in both the familiar and the unexpected.Biography
Dawn Schmidt grew up on the Prairies of Manitoba, captivated from an early age by the vastness and drama of the sky, storm clouds, fields of bright canola, and endless horizons that still shape her visual language today. Drawn to loose, expressive brushwork over strict realism, she paints the intensity and energy of both landscape and city, playing with the interplay of light and colour across prairie fields, shimmering lakes, and the urban architecture of Winnipeg. A particular focus on how light reflects off water and snow gives her work a sense of hazy brightness and warmth. Her goal throughout is to capture not just the look of a scene, but the feeling of being there, inviting viewers to see the familiar with fresh eyes.
Schmidt is a member of the Manitoba Society of Artists and the Federation of Canadian Artists, and completed a three-month artist residency at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg. She was also represented for five years by a gallery at The Forks in Winnipeg.
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