Dawn Howell, Novel Nostalgia, acrylic, 24x30in., $2,500
Novel Nostalgia draws from the dreamlike quality of fairytale books and the memories of their vibrant illustrations. This piece is an invitation to return to a time when stories were a gateway to fantastical realms, where the warmth of a glowing sun and soft, ethereal clouds hung in the air like whispered secrets. The semi-abstract landscape is a reflection of those cherished tales—whimsical flowers that seem to bloom from the page, distant trees that evoke feelings of both wonder and mystery, and the gentle, glowing light that imbues everything with a sense of nostalgia and possibility.

The composition is a celebration of the ways in which these memories, both vivid and fleeting, continue to shape how we see the world. The delicate balance between the fantastical and the familiar speaks to the timeless nature of these stories, and how, like the sun's light breaking through clouds, they continue to shine brightly in our hearts long after we’ve closed the book.

Artist Statement
In my work, I seek to capture the ethereal beauty of nature’s wonders—sunlight, rainbows, sunsets, and the soft glow of cotton candy clouds—transforming these moments of natural light into dreamy, whimsical landscapes. Through the vibrant hues of acrylic paint, I explore the interplay between color, light, and atmosphere, creating scenes that invite viewers to pause and lose themselves in a moment of serenity and wonder.

For the Letting the Light In exhibit, my piece reflects the radiant energy and warmth that sunlight brings to the world. The interplay of brilliant glows, shimmering textures, and soft gradients illuminates each composition, inviting light to permeate the canvas and transcend the physical into the realm of the imagined. This work embodys my fascination with how light, in all its forms, has the power to evoke emotion, stir the imagination, and illuminate our connection to the natural world.

Through the piece, I hope to transport the viewer to a place where the everyday world is softened by light and infused with a sense of dreamlike tranquility.