Primarily a figurative and portrait painter in oils, Dawn also uses batik to express colour and vibrancy, a technique acquired in Zimbabwe where she was born and brought up.  Initially embarking on a career in music, and representing both Zimbabwe and England in sport, she  travelled in Europe and America as a teenager, using her hobby of painting and drawing  to help fund herself.

Marrying the son of local marine artist John Pretty brought her to Suffolk to raise her four children, and run annual solo exhibitions in the 90’s.

Currently running several classes in watercolour, oil and acrylic, she  teaches from her studio at the Cut arts centre in Halesworth. Her greatest fascination is with portrait painting, which she specialises in.