This painting has developed over time and remains a means of holding together the memory, experience and influence that it has embodied from the start. It was a painting about loss which has become a very complex, deeply layered and multi-layered work.

The physical marks on the painting’s surface evolve from early explorations into marks and color, to more assured and complex uses of all of these in order to paint personal memories and the influences of earlier art. Portraits, shards and other symbols appear in the painting. Often they have been developed from a variety of sources and then reworked and recombined in non-linear fashion and, on occasions, returned to the surface of the painting at a later date in order to revisit an earlier experience or to reflect upon it.

The Studio Visit above is a drawing of neuroscientist Pasko Rakic by Dawn Hunter at the Cajal Club Social at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in San Diego. Dr. Rakic, one of the leading researchers on the developing cerebral cortex, has maintained contact with the Club over the years. He was invited to join the Club by founder Wendell Krieg. In this Studio Visit Hunter drew the neuroscientist while Rakic discussed his early interest in art and how the drawings of cortical structures by Santiago Ramón y Cajal influenced his decision to become a scientist.

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The drawing shows the moment of conversation between the artist and the scientist, totally absorbed by what is going on while the artist is completing the work in one sitting. The drawing is more than a portrait of Rakic. It shows the artist’s position within the tradition of art and neuroscience and how his observation, memory and influence of Cajal’s visual approach to neuroscience is being extended to the contemporary scientific and artistic practice.

This studio visit highlights a recent sketchbook series made on a trip to Atlanta, where I carried my book everywhere and drew from life. At the High Museum of Art I made studies after two large acrylics by the celebrated South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak's works Autumn and Pandemonium. Responding to Kim’s luminous florals and mountain imagery, my drawings explore how line, rhythm, and simplified shape can translate the vitality of another artist’s vision while remaining unmistakably my own.

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Beyond the galleries, I turned to the people of Midtown. At the bar Politan Row, Colony Square, I worked rapidly, building pages of caricature-like portraits of the guests. One encounter became a sustained portrait: Kree, a young pregnant nursing student on a staycation with her boyfriend. The drawing slows the pace of the environment around her, describing calm poise amid the crowd.

Katlin Jeffcoat’s Foundations Curriculum Arc traces her development from observational drawing to sophisticated visual design. Beginning in ARTS 103, she transformed natural forms into structured compositions through studies of shape and texture. In ARTS 107, she deepened this inquiry using Johannes Itten’s color harmony theories to explore how hue and contrast shape perception and emotion.

By ARTS 266, Katlin synthesized these foundations into a cohesive merchandise project—merging craftsmanship, conceptual clarity, and color design rooted in the same perceptual principles that first inspired her work.

The course ARTS 107: Color, Technology, and Form teaches students to practice color theory as an active physical method which connects conventional artistic methods to digital artistic techniques. Students use the Adobe Ideas application on their touchscreen device to generate tactile "blobbies" through their body movements and touch pressure. The hand extends through technology to create new artistic possibilities which help students develop analytical skills and intuitive artistic abilities. Students develop their memory skills and perception abilities and creative problem-solving competencies through their work with structured color theory and unrestricted experimental activities. Students achieve complete control of color relationships and create their own visual style while learning to use digital tools with the same care as they would traditional artistic materials by the end of the semester.

I had the honor of designing the Krieg Lifetime Achievement Awards for the Cajal Club two years in a row—celebrating Dr. Charles E. Ribak in 2023 and Dr. Larry Swanson in 2024. Each award features two historic certificates, one signed by Santiago Ramón y Cajal and the other by Wendell Krieg, founder of the Cajal Club. Drawing on their shared legacy as neuroanatomical illustrators, I approached the project as a visual homage and narrative translation—combining historic symbolism, hand-rendered elements, and custom presentation cases to reflect the scientific and personal contributions of each recipient.

Welcome to the online portfolio collection of Dawn Hunter, an Associate Professor at USC, a Fulbright Scholar, and a passionate, prolific visual artist. With two decades under her belt, exhibiting her art at leading educational institutions and professional galleries, she's made a profound mark in the art world.

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In an effort to provide an effortless browsing experience and ensure her diverse portfolio themes are accessible, Dawn has curated a collection of specialized websites, each dedicated to a distinct theme and content. Consider this your gateway to a vast array of Dawn's creative endeavors and portfolios, each a testament to her extensive career and artistic evolution.

Unleash your imagination and explore the captivating connection between dancers and the intricate world of cells. Picture them gracefully moving at the center of the cell, akin to the nucleus—the very command center that orchestrates growth, division, and gene expression. Prepare to be enthralled by Dawn's latest painting series, a fusion of the mesmerizing "Cell Block Tango" dance and Santiago Ramón y Cajal's legendary neuron imagery. Through a blend of art and science, these figurative works unravel the narrative of a cell's function, weaving together the beauty of movement and the intricate workings of cellular life. Join this artistic journey where art and science harmoniously intertwine.

Step into the world of Cajal's Scientific Drawings and Plein Air Landscape paintings of locations where he lived. Cajal's remarkable scientific illustrations are a testament to his keen observation and remarkable talent for visually conveying complex concepts. Inspired by Cajal's legacy, Dawn embarks on a creative journey by painting landscapes from his birthplace, interweaving them with rendered neuron imagery. Through this artistic fusion, she aims to capture the environment that fueled his scientific pursuits visually.

Immerse yourself in the world of Facetober, created by critically acclaimed illustrator Charly Clements. "I use the opportunity of this social media challenge to focus on the sub-theme of my daughter, Darcy. I experimented with portraiture, color, and patterns to create a warm and intimate atmosphere. Among this series, Darcy's favorite portrait, featuring blue braids and gold hoop earrings, exudes sophistication and mystery. These expressive images depict our evolving relationship, showcasing our collaboration and the joy we share." ~Dawn Hunter

Embark on a journey of artistic discovery with SciArtSeptember, an enriching social media event in which Dawn has had the pleasure of participating in for the second time. What truly excites her is the opportunity to respond to thought-provoking prompts through her artwork, exploring various topics within science and art. This event catalyzes connecting with other talented artists, providing a platform to learn and grow together. She is grateful to Liz Butler (@liz_lagomorph) and Glendon Mellow (@FlyingTrilobite) for creating and hosting this annual SciArtSeptember initiative, fostering a vibrant community of creative minds. 

Welcome to the Summertime Drawing Board of Rodin's artwork! During this summer, Dawn's artistic focus revolved around historical subjects such as the Rodin exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art and the picturesque scenes at the Riverbanks Zoo, which inspired her Plein air sketches. In a fusion of these experiences, her studio became a hub of creativity. This photo essay showcases a glimpse of the various artistic processes involved, including drawings of Rodin statues completed in Madrid (distinguished by an orange background) and her CMA Rodin drawings featuring either white or yellow backgrounds. Rather than simply a sketchbook, she prefers to refer to this collection as a "drawing board." Back in the studio, she had the opportunity to develop these artworks further, exploring new dimensions and possibilities.

"I am thrilled to share that my artwork, "Dueling Cajals," received an Honorable Mention prize in the prestigious 2022 Art of Neuroscience competition out of the Netherlands. The jury was struck by this submission, which uniquely explores the history of neuroscience. The piece weaves together diverse periods of time from Cajal's life, emphasizing the cultural and historical influences on scientific image-making. The jury appreciated the meticulous research into the sources that influenced Cajal and recognized the artwork as a potent reminder for neuroscientists to acknowledge and understand the impact of history on their work." ~Dawn Hunter

"I am honored and proud to announce my election to the esteemed Cajal Club Board of Directors. Words cannot express my gratitude for the opportunity bestowed upon me to create their new website. The transition from July to August was filled with hard work, collaboration, and invaluable feedback from renowned Neuroscientists I have admired for years. The new website is live, representing an ongoing endeavor akin to a flourishing garden. Stay tuned for exciting updates and content. Explore the website by clicking the MORE button below." ~Dawn Hunter

Discover the inspiration Dawn finds at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden every year! Explore a portfolio of her sketchbook drawings featuring the zoo's ever-evolving attractions. Some changes have occurred, like the new White Rhino exhibit and the absence of elephants; she was prompted by these changes to include past highlight subject matter intermingled with the Zoo's present-day renovations within the portfolio "image essay."

"I am thrilled to announce that my artwork, The Darcy Inventory, has been chosen for this prestigious exhibition. In addition to preparing for the showcase, I've been keeping busy creating captivating Instagram Reels. The Darcy Inventory is a thought-provoking portrait installation I crafted in October. It explores, through visual art, profound themes such as race, identity, societal norms, and the intricate dynamics of our modern culture's daughter/mother relationship. Join me on this artistic journey and witness the power of visual storytelling at ArtFields!" ~Dawn Hunter

The Jasper Project's 10th Anniversary celebration is a momentous event commemorating a publication that showcases and illuminates Columbia, SC's vibrant cultural landscape. Spearheaded by the visionary Cindi Boiter, the magazine keeps the Cola Community informed while delving into the lives of artists, performers, dancers, musicians, and writers through captivating interviews.

Welcome to Dawn Hunter's studio! Explore the Cajal Inventory artworks, a series inspired by Santiago Ramón y Cajal. They were most recently on display in a solo exhibition in Las Vegas. The works now adorn Dawn's studio walls. They continue to inspire her handmade Cajal sketchbook, a testament to her ongoing creative investigation into the father of modern neuroscience life.