Creating art has been a defining part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I learned from borrowing “How to Draw 100” books from the local library, copying Archie comics, and attending my first art class at the age of four. Portraits were my first artistic love. There’s just something magical about drawing eyes. ..capturing the vibrancy and beauty of the “windows to the soul” feels like bringing the two dimensional to life.
Graphite, colored pencil, and watercolour are my current areas of expertise for taking commissions. I enjoy dabbling in several mediums and am currently working on a passion project called “Submerged”. This underwater exhibit will be featured in 2020 at the Spruce Grove art gallery.
Artist Biography
Allison Dakin grew up in Fort McMurray, Alberta. She earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta in 2008. The next several years were spent expressing her creativity through nurturing the imaginations of children in her classroom. After taking a break from teaching to care for her two young children, Allison moved to Spruce Grove where she rediscovered her first passion – art.
She is a member of the Spruce Grove Allied Arts Council and the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA). In February, 2017 she received her first international award in colored pencil for Colored Pencil Magazine’s Monthly challenge. Her work is regularly on display at the Melcor Gallery in Spruce Grove.
Awards:
“Snack Time” – 3rd Place in Allied Arts Juried Show 2017
“Hanging Around” – 3rd Place Intermediate Open Arts Competition 2017 – AAC of Spruce Grove
“Feathers of Fancy” – 3rd Place Advanced Open Arts Competition 2018 – AAC of Spruce Grove
“Demi-Goddess” 1st Place Juried Members Show 2019 – AAC of Spruce Grove
“Chico” – 2nd Place Advanced Open Arts Competition 2019 – AAC of Spruce Grove
“Dr. Deena Hinshaw” – 2nd Place Advanced Open Arts Competition 2020 – AAC of Spruce Grove
Publications:
“Snack Time” 1st Place Novice, Colored Pencil Magazine 2017
“Inked” – Northword Magazine cover, Volume 4 Issue 4 2020