We recently connected with Dawn Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Dawn , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I recently created a body of work titled “Gravitas” after my father’s death, exploring both collective and individual grief. This project, which took over a year to complete, symbolizes the embodiment of grief in my personal life and the societal grief we witness daily. Through this process, I’ve learned that grieving connects us more deeply to the spiritual world, changing us profoundly. As we grieve, time becomes sweeter, flowers more beautiful, and everything takes on deeper meaning. We become acutely aware of our impermanence, making every moment more precious. This awareness fosters gratitude and reveals our privileges. The sister to loss is always hope.

My father’s death inspired this work, but it also reflects my perception of global losses. I mourned the suffering of animals in factory farms, the casualties of war, the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the erosion of women’s rights with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. I realized that my grief was shared by many. As I processed this immense sadness, I began to see the world differently. When things seemed darkest, I found light. I started paying closer attention to nature and began noting things that I was grateful for. Something as simple as a running shower became a magical waterfall. I realized our reality is flexible, and I began to perceive things on an energetic level.

Dawn , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and raised in the metro Detroit area and have been a tattoo artist for over 20 years. I began my artistic career as a tattoo artist, and after more than a decade in the field, I decided to attend art school. There, I learned classical painting and drawing techniques, graduating from the College for Creative Studies in 2011. Since then, I have maintained a fine art practice alongside my tattooing career.

Tattooing, for me, is a collaborative service where I create designs meaningful to the wearer. In contrast, my fine art practice is deeply personal, something I offer to the world, focusing on broader visions of humanity. I consider myself a modern surrealist painter. Sometimes, the imagery and symbolism from my tattooing practice overlap with my painting practice, enriching both.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

We need to understand as a society that art and creativity are essential to our existence. There is nothing in this world that isn’t created by an artist or an engineer or some type of creative individual. Everything you look at was first imagined in an individuals creative mind. Once we understand this fundamentally, there will be a desire to fund arts programs in our schools and Independent institutions. Essentially, I believe we need more funding for Art less funding for things like the military.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I feel most rewarded when someone looks at a piece of work that I’ve created, and they feel moved by it. I’m always grateful for the clients that wish to collaborate with me in my tattooing practice. It is very rewarding when I can play a part in making someone feel more beautiful within their body. When I make a painting that someone loves so much that they wish to put it in their home, and in their space so that they can see it every day m, I know that I have made the world a more beautiful place for someone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.Dawnmariesmith.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/dawnsmith_art
• Other: https://Instgram.com/prettytoughtattoos

Image Credits

Suzy Poling