Dawn Heather Bencze
Vancouver Island artist, Dawn Heather Bencze,
creates large, vibrant watercolour paintings
which draw the viewer into the rhythm of life.
The eye is lead on a dance of movement, where
the forms, colours and values are expertly
orchestrated. As in the swirling strut of a
rooster, the intricate circular ribbons of a
Maypole dance or the sensual nodding of
foxgloves, Dawn’s signature style is the beauty
of motion in the natural world. Each painting
captures the artist’s personal connection with
her subject, resulting in a work of art that is
a delight to the senses and to the heart.
About the Artist
Dawn Bencze
grew up in Oyster Bay, between the towns of
Courtenay and Campbell River on Vancouver
Island. With the forest surrounding her and the
sea as her backyard, Dawn’s paintings reflect
the close relationship she has to the coast and
with nature. Drawing and painting were childhood
pastimes encouraged by both her mother, Joyce
Peterson, a gifted poet and musician, and her father, Thor Peterson, who share
her love of fine art. As a teenager, Dawn’s
interest in the arts was greatly influenced by
her grandmother,
Mona Irvine, an exhibiting
artist and printmaker who studied under renowned
local artist,
Sybil Andrews. More recently, Dawn attributes her fine watercolour technique and ongoing inspiration to
her friend and mentor, Campbell River artist
Chris Wootton; Dawn continues to paint weekly
with a talented collection of fellow artists at
the Wootton Studio.
Dawn lives in Campbell River with her husband
and two children where she enjoys both her
home-based studio and her passion for gardening.
The bounty of her garden and the activities of
her children provide constant subject matter for
her art.
Dawn’s work melds colour and movement to produce
an exciting energy. She enjoys sharing this
creativity that is so central to her life and
hopes that you too will delight in her
expressions of joy and beauty.
