Artist Spotlight: Dawn Evans Scaltreto

Ana Uluave May 17 2024

Dawn Evans Scaltreto is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Massachusetts. She has been a professional artist for 35 years and loves creating artwork for children. She is featured in many different collections including that of the Children’s Hospital in Boston. “I love creating art for children, and have created many artworks for Children's Hospital Boston and other pediatric facilities.” She offers her artwork on her website, www.dawnarts.com.

Just make YOUR art, if it makes you happy, chances are that it will come out in the work.

Dawn Evans Scaltreto

Dawn was inspired to become an artist in her childhood. “I have created art my whole life - it is definitely in the soul! Even when I was small I always carried a little picnic basket with me filled with crayons, markers and paint. My family is very creative and supportive. I knew I would always be an artist, but I also wanted to be a rock star like Elton John. I kind of am a little bit of a rock star - my husband and I play in a classic rock band, Perfect Crime Band, on the weekends.”

She enjoys the color and joy being an artist brings to her life. “The act of creation - using my imagination, figuring how to get what is in my head on the paper, getting my hands right in the color - that is really exciting. My work is very colorful and flamboyant, and it does bring joy to other people, especially my pieces for pediatric facilities. The artworks serve families really in need of love and color and imagination. My art may never hang in a museum, but I know every day it brings joy to those families. There is nothing better to me.”

"Sea Turtle Odyssey" by Dawn Evan Scaltreto pictured above.

Dawn’s favorite piece of hers is entitled “In the Rainforest”. “It is a traditionally illustrated artwork, but it was digitally scanned and was used as an X/Y growth chart in CHB's Endocrinology Department. It is adhered on the wall and covered with Plexiglass so the physicians can take accurate measurements and mark them out. The children getting measured are allowed to use the pens to draw on the chart, and they add their own animals in the rainforest. I love that children feel so connected to it even when engaged in a scary and unfamiliar procedure. I tried to make the animals seem innocent and curious.”

"In the Rainforest" by Dawn Evan Scaltreto pictured above.

Dawn enjoys depicting all animals in her artwork, but she particularly enjoys penguins. “I am planning a trip to South America to go and visit some in person. I am on a first-name basis with the penguins at the New England Aquarium in Boston.” This wildlife also inspires her when creating a new project or piece. “I am also inspired by color and the works of many artists. I love the colors of Peter Max and that 60's/70's vibe. Andy Warhol, Maxfield Parrish, Norman Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth all use inspiring palettes, and Robert Vickrey is a favorite for his way of making the ordinary seem extraordinary. I am often drawn in by my art materials, and Caran d'Ache Neocolor II pastels are my favorite medium.”

To aspiring artists, Dawn offers the following quotes of encouragement: “I have several quotes that get me motivated in the studio.

"It is better to be a genuine version of yourself than a pale imitation of someone else" - Dolly Parton.

So true - be yourself, only you can be you.

The second is this, "Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol.

Just make YOUR art, if it makes you happy, chances are that it will come out in the work.”

"Orca Odyssey" by Dawn Evan Scaltreto pictured above.

Dawn found Golden State Art through an online search. “I did a search online and your prices were good and you had products that were custom and would work with my products. After my first order I was a customer for life. Your mats and frames make my artwork look great, so professionally presented. I like that I can focus on the creation and not worry about matting - I can get great products from you with backer boards and poly bags with quality mats, it really works for me. You make me look great! Your products are top notch and I like that you are in the USA. I am able to sell more products and spend fewer hours with presentations. That means more hours engaged in creating the artwork which is what I want to be doing.”

Dawn is currently working on a new series of tarot cards to launch in May of 2021. “I am so excited about launching the Mystical Penguin Tarot in May 2021! You are hearing it here first, and I included one of the cards, "V Faith", which is a more inclusive and modern alternative to the card V "The Hierophant" which uses traditional Judeo/Christian imagery. The deck is based on the Waite Rider Smith Tarot with 78 cards, 22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana. It took a whole year to illustrate, but it has been a dream project that I have really loved working on. In addition to the cards, people have requested art prints and the actual artwork to be made available for purchase. The prints will look fantastic in the Golden State Art double cut mats - Ivory with a soft gray liner - which I will have available via my Kickstarter, on my website and through my Etsy store, all launching in May.”