Hello, my name is Dawn Thibodeaux. Welcome to the online artist's portfolio of a proud work at home mom! Let me tell you a little about myself...

I was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana and I'm currently living in Houston, Texas. Other than high school art classes, I am a self taught artist. I love art with a passion, whether I am creating it or admiring other artist's work. I enjoy time alone working on projects, and there is always something 'on the drawing board.'

I've been drawing and painting my whole life, but started doing commission work on the side of my full time jobs in 1989. Most of my earlier work is not in this portfolio, but I have done everything from portraits to wildlife, to buildings, to cartoons in company publications.

My favorite artist is Georgia O'Keeffe. I am moved by the way she takes an ordinary object and portrays it in a perspective that we would not ordinarily see when we do not take the time to stop and look at the beauty in our surroundings. I also appreciate the black and white pencil drawings of M.C.Esher and the romantic figure paintings of John William Waterhouse. I especially appreciate the esoteric art of William Blake. I love the challenge of creating all of the values of shade with a simple pencil and drawing a realistic rendering of the human figure.

In May 1997 I left my career in the banking industry to become a full time mom and devote my time to my children and my art career. I have two young boys and a newborn son that are a handful, therefore I have put my portrait and deadline oriented commission work on hold so that I will not be putting the meeting of a deadline before time with my children. I will do other commission work which does not have deadline constraints and are of a subject (such as a landcape or still life) in which I can sell prints or sell the original if the commissioner decides not to purchase the art. I retain copyrights of all commissioned work. I am working on a series of new paintings for reproduction, therefore if anyone is interested in being notified when works are completed and prints are available, please join my mailing list.

My favorite place to visit is New Orleans, although I have not been brave enough to walk the streets during Mardi Gras. When I visit, I love to hang out around the French Quarter and admire the paintings of the street artists. Sure, the art in the galleries is esquisite, but there is just something about the art of these struggling street artists that attracts me. I think once my kids are grown, and it's easier to travel, you will be able to find me there at my easel painting and drawing the tourists.

I enjoy promoting the work of artists who depict Louisiana or French culture in their work. I also promote anything that falls under colorful outsider, folk, or pop art, or work that depicts unique cultures. Creation and maintenance of these pages are supported by donations. I'm promoting these artists in my "Other Artists" section. Some are established artists, and some are unknown or emerging artists, or the work of friends and family. Please take a moment to view their work before leaving my site, and your donation would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou!