Like many young, aspiring artists, Dawn Divirgilio arrived in Chicago with only a suitcase, a box of paints and the dream of becoming an artist. Since then, Divirgilio has worked industriously on her paintings, which are currently on display at The Bottle Shop in Wilmette.
“(Lately) I’ve been more focused on my art. I’ve gotten more motivated and inspired,” Divirgilio explained.
Divirgilio has worked at The Bottle Shop for about four years, where she teaches painting and wine classes. She said many customers ask whether the paintings were done by different artists, but they were all done by Divirgilio in her spare time at nights and on weekends. Her style distinctly varies, from pop-culture pieces that focus on icons like David Bowie, Frida Kahlo or Abraham Lincoln, to paintings that are tropical in theme, inspired by her upbringing in Sarasota, Florida.
When Divirgilio isn’t being inspired by artwork in museums, books or online, she finds her inspiration in her surroundings. “A lot of it is inspired by life,” she remarked. Take for example, the painting of her younger sister. Many people have asked Divirgilio if it is based on a real scene. She relied on a photo of her sister, but the other aspects of the painting — the tropical birds, fruit and plants were all from Divirgilio’s own imagination.
Divirgilio works out her home in Milwaukee, where she has a room that she uses as an art studio. While she took a few art classes in high school, she is largely self-taught. Divirgilio said she has been painting since she was a little girl and was greatly influenced by both her mother and grandmother, who were also artists. “It’s a way to express myself without have to say anything,” she remarked.
Divirgilio said she typically draws an outline of the picture directly onto the canvas and then uses acrylic paints. She likes to use gold leaf on many of her paintings, such as the David Bowie painting that has bright pops of red and blue color, offset by golf leaf.
Lately Divirgilio has had a lot of momentum, carving out more time to spend on her artwork. As a result, many of the pieces on display were completed in the last year. She has also sold a couple of the paintings which only makes her want to work harder. “It is encouraging and makes me want to paint more. It is exciting,” she said.
This exhibit is the first time that Divirgilio has displayed her artwork, a milestone she is pleased to have reached. She hopes to one day have her own studio that is not in her house and to eventually get to the point where she sells limited edition prints of her artwork. Divirgilio recently designed a mug using purple flowers from one of her paintings, which she is using to promote her artwork. She said it has been a popular gift item and plans to eventually design a throw pillow as well.
The opportunity to showcase her work continues to inspire Divirgilio. “Right now I have three paintings in my head that I haven’t even sketched yet,” she said.
Divirgilio’s paintings are on display at The Bottle Shop, 1148 Central Avenue, Wilmette. For more information about Divirgilio go to www.dawndivirgilio.com.
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A painting of Divirgilio’s sister on display at The Bottle Shop.
