SOWBO Magazine 4TH edition

Featured Story
Ar t ist
Dawn M. Scott
Resilience and perseverance produces strong
roots, resulting in a solid foundation for a
purpose driven life. Speaking of roots, the gift of
art is a part of my family tree. It seems the
concept of individual seasonal color and fashion
is incorporated into my DNA. When I see people,
my eyes are often, immediately drawn to how the
colors they are wearing coincide with their
seasonal color palette. My mother often kept a
copy of Vogue on the coffee table. I currently
work with charcoal, pastels and acrylics. I would
certainly welcome the opportunity to work with
oils and watercolors. The mixing of colors
through painting and the feel of pencils and paint
in my hands served as a means of escape. When I
can?t express myself, I feel caged. Leaving me
melancholy and withdrawn. My current body of
work has a theme, which has been derived from
a former life of survival, pain and emotional
suffering, but has also served as a light during the
darkest hours in my life. Hardship and adversity
were friends of mine, which Td Jakes states,?the
depth of your adversity is often an implication of
how high an individual is destined to climb?.
Through personal experiences, I am inclined to
believe nature has its percentage in child
development, but nurturing is a major role in
children growing into healthy positive individuals.
Dawn M. Scott was born and raised in the
Cameron Street Projects, Harrisburg, PA ?income
based housing? with four sisters. She has been
drawing since the age of five years. One of her
first dress designs was of her sisters?prom dress.
After high school she completed an Associate?s
Degree in Apparel Design at the Clarissa School
of Fashion Design, 1991. Uncertain of what path
she wanted to embark upon, she began
entertaining the opinions of others which
resulting in the derailing of her creative self.
She obtained her Bachelor?s degree in Human
Services Administration, at Chatham University,
2001. After working within the field of social
services, primarily ?children and families?, for
over ten years she was laid off. Hence the
meaning ?Starving Artist?. She was given this time
to create and are located in the seating are
donated works to shelters, and social services
agencies. A notable donation was presented to
Health Center 9, 131 East Chelten Avenue,
Philadelphia, Pa. She provided the clinic with
three 24X36 works which are located in the
seating area. The clinic met her needs while she
was laid off. The clinic provided her medications
she could never afford without medical
insurance.
Provided with time to reflect, she still refrained
from pursuing her passion in art, patternmaking
and fashion design. She obtained a Master?s
Degree in Psychology and Public Administration
at Walden University, 2011. She has always had a
heart for the homeless population and continues
to volunteer with Enon Tabernacle Baptist
Church, Philadelphia, Pa Missions Ministry. She
has also received training as a literacy tutor
through the Mayor?s Commission on Literacy,
Philadelphia, Pa. working within
After years of working within the field of social
services, God has granted her the grace and
means to return to school. She is currently
pursuing an undergraduate degree in fashion
design. Her dream is to work as a professional
patternmaker. Td Jakes stated ?If God provides
you with a gift He will make room for the gift?,
meaning the gift through his grace will provide
the means to sustain you. She has been trusting
God and though there have been mountains to
climb he often makes a way.
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