Create with Confidence, Clarity, and Joy.
This is a welcoming space for artists who want to slow down, reconnect, and explore soft pastels with curiosity rather than pressure. Inside my thoughtfully guided lessons, you’ll find structure that supports you, room to play, and a creative rhythm that meets you where you are.
Meet Your Guide
I’m Dawn Vander Stoep, and this is a space where creativity, connection, and the quiet magic of soft pastel come to life.
Art has been part of my world for decades, but everything shifted when I discovered soft pastels. The process felt gentler, more intuitive, and deeply freeing. It opened a door to creating that felt supportive rather than demanding, and I knew I wanted to share that experience with others.
Today, I paint and teach from my home studio in Milwaukie, Oregon, surrounded by nature, imagination, and my sweet dog Sunny. My work is collected internationally, and each piece I create is guided by intention, symbolism, and a sense of wonder.
Through my teaching and The Pastel Insider membership, I guide artists who are looking for a calm, encouraging place to grow. This is not about perfection or keeping up. It’s about learning foundational skills, trusting your process, and feeling supported as you develop your own creative voice.
If you’re curious about soft pastels, craving a more nourishing relationship with your art, or simply looking for a welcoming place to land, you’re in the right spot. I’m really glad you’re here.
Ready to continue your creative journey?
Step into a thoughtfully guided creative space where you can explore soft pastels with confidence, curiosity, and care. Inside The Pastel Insider, you’ll find a growing library of in depth lessons and gentle structure to support you, along with a welcoming community that values process over perfection.
This is a place to return to your art, again and again, in a way that feels sustainable and true to you.