About the Artist

I'm Dawn Vander Stoep, an artist and instructor working primarily in soft pastel.

I've been a working artist for nearly two decades, but when I discovered soft pastel more than eight years ago, I felt like I'd found my artistic home. I've been exploring how far I can push the medium ever since.

Light has become a particular fascination in my work. I'm drawn to the way it can transform a painting, create atmosphere, or make something feel as though it's glowing from within. I'm equally fascinated by color relationships, mark making, texture, and the unexpected things that happen when I allow a painting to develop without knowing exactly where it will end up.

My work often moves between the recognizable and the abstract, sometimes incorporating symbolism along the way. I love building layers of color and marks, creating depth and texture, and finding something beautiful within the chaos.

For nearly five years, I've also taught other artists to explore soft pastel and develop a deeper understanding of the medium.

My original artwork is held in private collections throughout the United States and internationally.