We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dawn Goldstein. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dawn below.

Alright, Dawn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

This is a really wonderful and thoughtful question. It’s difficult to choose the most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far, but I would have to say my graphite drawing titled Connection. It depicts a silverback gorilla tenderly embracing his baby son. Like much of my work, this piece explores emotional bonds that transcend words and even species. The authenticity, vulnerability, and raw emotional depth in that moment spoke directly to me—and I believe we’re living in a time where many people are craving that same kind of genuine connection.

What makes this piece especially meaningful is the context in which I created it. I was going through a very tumultuous divorce, and we have two young children. At the time, my youngest—just six years old—is nonverbal and autistic. He and I share an unexplainable, deeply intuitive bond. I advocate fiercely for him and the support he deserves, which unfortunately has not always been mirrored by his father. His diagnosis has often been seen as an inconvenience—something “too difficult.”

What strikes me is that during such an emotionally painful time, I created a piece that highlights the opposite of what was happening in my own home: a father and son completely attuned, safe in each other’s presence. Looking back, I believe Connection was my way of expressing what I wished existed for my son—what every child deserves. In that sense, it’s more than a drawing. It’s a reflection of my hopes, grief, and fierce love for him.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been artistic and creative. I started by drawing Disney characters and wildlife—looking back at those early portfolios always brings a smile. But due to my parents’ influence, I was guided toward becoming a classically trained pianist, which became the focus of my education. I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in piano performance. Art remained in the background during those years—I occasionally took private lessons or taught myself when time allowed.

After college, I built a successful career as a piano teacher. While piano is another beautiful form of artistic expression, I realized it wasn’t my true passion. I still return to the piano today for enjoyment, but I knew there was something else calling me.

Later, I got married and became a stay-at-home mom to our two young children, which was one of the greatest blessings of my life. I loved being fully present in their lives and am deeply grateful I had that opportunity. My youngest is nonverbal and autistic and communicates with an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device. Supporting his needs and therapies has been, and continues to be, a full-time job—and one I take great pride in.

My personal and family life grew increasingly challenging. After the loss of my mother to cancer and a very intense, volatile divorce, I became a single mom to my two children, now ages 7 and 11. These past few years have been a journey of healing, self-discovery, and rebuilding. Motherhood is one of my life’s greatest callings, but I also realized I had lost parts of myself. I had to do the inner work—to remember who I am beyond the roles I’ve played.

A major turning point in that process was rediscovering my love for art. I came across a fluid art course online and hesitated at first—but something in me kept saying “yes.” I took the leap and fell completely in love with the process. I felt like a child again—lit up, joyful, and deeply connected. That moment reignited my passion, and I’ve been prioritizing my art and creativity ever since, now pursuing it as my profession.

I work in various mediums—graphite, acrylics, oils, watercolor—but no matter the material or subject, my art always comes back to connection. I strive to create pieces that show authenticity, vulnerability, and emotional rawness. When viewers tell me they feel something deeply when they look at my work, I’m humbled. That connection is everything to me.

My hope is to continue sharing my artwork as a platform for deeper healing—not just for myself, but for others who have survived domestic violence or toxic relationships—and to bring more awareness to autism and the beauty of neurodivergence.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission as an artist is to create work that speaks to the deeper emotional layers of the human experience—especially the parts that often go unseen or unspoken. I want my art to serve as a mirror and a bridge: a mirror for those who need to see their feelings reflected, and a bridge that connects people through shared emotion. Whether it’s a piece that captures the ache of disconnection or the quiet power of healing, my goal is to make space for authenticity, vulnerability, and connection.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is when someone stands in front of a piece I’ve created and says, “I feel that.” In those moments, I know the work did what it was meant to do—it connected. Creating is deeply personal for me, often born from my own healing, but the reward comes when it resonates with someone else’s story. It’s in those shared emotional moments that I’m reminded art isn’t just something we look at; it’s something we feel our way through, together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artofanewdawn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_of_a_new_dawn/

Image Credits

Image credits : Dawn Goldstein