May 2013

Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Features Works by Dawn Gaye Duff

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, will present Faces, featuring the mixed media work of exploratory artist, Dawn Gaye Duff, on view from May 6 through June 2, 2013. A reception will be held on May 12 (Mother’s Day), from 3-5pm. In honor of Mother’s Day all moms will receive a small gift made by the artist!

Duff is a self described enigma saying, “I am different. Many have told me so, and I believe it. I’m a Bible-carrying Bohemian, always attempting to satisfy the wanderlust in my mind and soul. I’m an American flag-waving hippie chick, a punk-rock conservative with libertarian leanings. A Jesus-follower and a free spirit, an artist, a poet. A devoted wife and mom who has a penchant for artistic freedom in all I do. I believe it is never too late to begin life... again. I am completely into beginnings.”

Duff’s story is inspirational: she has recently “come out of the closet” as a disabled artist. Due to neuro-muscular issues resulting from spinal cord surgery, she works at a slow pace. Some days she can barely work at all, and pain is a constant. She took up clay as a healing therapy. She began to paint with oils and water media, and to make mosaic art and jewelry. She taught herself and discovered she has a gift for teaching others as well, leading art and arts-related classes for all ages in the Bluffton/Hilton Head/Beaufort area for over 12 years.

Immersing herself in the local art scene, Duff has done art residencies at the area’s public schools, taught classes at private schools, joined art co-ops and art organizations, participating in shows – including a one-woman show on Hilton Head Island. Her work has been collected internationally. Duff and her husband, J. Howard, opened “Each Others Muse,” their working studio and formed “JD Creative Ministries,” a Non-Profit Arts Outreach Organization. Her list of many accomplishments include being Vice President of the Arts Council of Southern Beaufort County, Education Committee Hilton Head Art League, and Liaison for Heritage Academy-Chamber of Commerce Art Committee.

Duff loves to combine pieces into unusual and unique collage or assemblage. Besides creating for meaning and expression, she applies those techniques to create functional and wearable art. She has been called an “Exploratory Artist,” and is honored by that description. She paints in oils and watercolor in a myriad of styles, and does her best to keep up with demand for her poignant and original work.

About her currently featured work Faces at the SOBA Gallery, Duff says “I love the human face, with all its expression and emotion written into each line and pore. I love the way a face can change at a moment’s notice, a slight raise of the brow or curl of the lip saying volumes without uttering a word. I love it that our faces were created in His image, and I look forward to gazing upon glorified faces at the end of time.”

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Society at 843/757-6586 or visit (www.sobagallery.com).

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