Tara Dawn

I am more than just an artist; I am a visual storyteller.

My work is driven by a fascination with wildlife, global beauty, and the imaginative realm of fantasy. I’m drawn to subjects that embody delicacy, strength, and comfort—qualities I aim to evoke through careful detail and storytelling.

Cultural influences from around the world shape my palette, ornamentation, and symbolism. I’m inspired by the colors, jewelry, and traditions of different communities, and I often weave these elements into my pieces to celebrate connection across cultures. Eyes frequently become a focal point in my work; I see them as windows into the soul and a powerful way to convey emotion and narrative.

My background in graphic design informs my precise visual language, while teaching graphic design history—particularly Art Nouveau and the work of Alphonse Mucha—has strengthened my appreciation for flowing linework and ornate composition. I also draw inspiration from wildlife artists such as Robert Bateman, with whom I had the opportunity to exhibit in 2013.

Ultimately, I aim to create artwork that tells a story, invites viewers into a moment of quiet beauty, and captures the resilience and grace found throughout the natural and imagined worlds.

Mys Nyx

Mys Nyx front page
night to dawn branding examples

Branding

In 2020, Night To Dawn was created. Crafting the brand from scratch, I designed the logo, business cards, and merchandise, shaping a visual identity reflective of my creative journey.

Open brochure with a space-themed background and large text saying 'into the light.' Inside, there are sections about elements of night work and quality foundation, and a graphic with four icons labeled Create Innovation, Material to Detail, Connection Development, and Customer Satisfaction.
Night To Dawn hoody
Night to Dawn business card.jpg
A woman with long, wavy, brown hair with blonde highlights, viewed from behind, wearing a light pink dress with thin straps, standing outdoors against a blurred green background. The image contains text promoting a hair product that feels just like real hair, emphasizing high temperature fibers, soft and resilient, washable hair, with a decorative logo in the top left corner.

Advertising

A smiling woman with long brown hair wearing a cream coat and plaid scarf standing in front of a snowy lakeside mountain landscape with a promotional holiday sale overlay, including a red circle with 10% off onyx jewelry and a call to action to shop now.
More Advertising

Advertising is crucial for businesses to reach potential customers, raise brand awareness, and drive sales. In 2020, I worked with N2D Hair Extensions and ran their social media accounts.  Click on "More Adverstising" for more company examples of my work.

Stylish woman with retro hair and sunglasses, wearing pearls, lying on an orange surface, holding a black frame. Text overlay reads 'Spice Up Your UpDo', with an advertisement for expression clip-ins and a website address.
Mock Cover of "Vogue" magazine featuring Rihanna with wavy dark hair, wearing earrings, and looking at the camera. Text includes headlines about creativity, love, and the Super Bowl.

Print

Here is an example of my expertise showcased through captivating magazine layouts.  Click the "More Printing" button to see diverse mailing ads, compelling novel design, impactful advertisements, engaging brochures, car wraps, and clothing designs all meticulously crafted for print media.

A motivational quote in large, bold text stating "Never a Failure..." surrounded by placeholder Latin text, with a modern black and white design.
Close-up of a woman with dark hair, wearing a black spaghetti strap top, a faux fur coat draped over her shoulders, chunky silver jewelry including earrings, a necklace, and a choker, with a blurred outdoor background and overlayed Latin placeholder text.
More Printing

Life ARTWORK

My artist name is Mys Nyx (the goddess of the night).  I opened my own online gallery called "The Evening Gallery" and have been working on commission projects in between teaching art and creating my own pieces.  My favorite class to teach is Life Drawing.

An anatomical illustration of a human foot with skeletal details and some artistic shading
German shepherd skull muscles
German shepherd head
German shepherd skull
More Life Drawing
Rough sketch of a humanoid robot with a cat ear on its head, standing in a relaxed pose with one arm outstretched. There are handwritten notes and diagrams nearby, including a smaller sketch of a person and a moon, along with some descriptive text.

Character Design

Character design is vital as it visually communicates personality, emotions, and narrative within various mediums like animation, gaming, and literature. Well-crafted characters engage audiences, evoke empathy, drive storytelling, and establish memorable connections, enhancing the overall impact and success of the creative project. Click the "More Character Design" button for more examples.


More character design
Illustration of a fantasy elf with blue and black swirled tattoos, long flowing light blue hair, and horns, standing with one foot on a ledge and the other on the ground, looking at a glowing yellow orb in a cave with a dark moon symbol in the corner.
A fantasy illustration of a female elf with blue and white hair, dressed in navy and brown, holding an owl, standing on a stone wall under a moonlit sky with a full moon. The background features dark clouds and a full moon, with a stylized black dragon logo at the bottom right corner.

Other Artwork

A woman with glowing blue and white hair, blue makeup, and a glittery moon on her forehead, surrounded by neon mushrooms, purple flowers, and cannabis leaves, with a bright and fantastical background.
Sketch of a female warrior with long wavy hair and armor, holding a chain connected to a small, furry creature with a round face and big eyes, in a room with notes about color and material details.
Abstract digital artwork featuring a dragon and a humanoid figure, with complex network lines and contours in purple, red, gray, green, brown, and black colors, and a red and white emblem in the bottom right corner.
A woman dressed in tribal-themed attire with feathers and intricate jewelry dances with fiery effects swirling around her, wearing a red cape and a skirt that appears to be made of flames.
A woman with detailed face paint, wearing a colorful feathered headdress, standing close to a decorated horse with elaborate headgear, both adorned with beads and feathers, set against a nature background.
A woman wearing an elaborate headdress with red and black feathers, detailed jewelry, and face makeup featuring red powder and white dots.
A majestic black horse wearing ornate green and gold jewelry and accessories, running against a moody, watercolor-like background.
Dark night scene with a large owl flying through a forest, full moon visible in the sky, silhouetted trees, and purple sky.
Night view of a small town with snow-covered streets and colorful buildings, with a large mountain and the moon in the background.
Painting of a mountain landscape with a turquoise glacier-fed lake, snow-covered mountains, and forests.
Snow-capped mountains behind a forested shoreline and a sparkling turquoise lake.
A black cat with three eyes, dragon wings, tentacle legs, and a tail, standing in a dark room with purple neon lighting. The room has a window showing a purple cloudy sky, a toilet, and graffiti on the wall. The cat wears a collar with a tag reading
Digital artwork of a woman with long hair partially submerged in water under a night sky with a full moon, clouds, and stars.
Two people with fishbowls as heads, sitting on a leather sofa in a library, facing each other closely. The fishbowls contain colorful fish, pink and blue, respectively. The person on the left is dressed in black with jewelry, holding a book or device
A fantasy illustration of a tall, pale woman with long silver hair, dressed in a revealing red gown with high slit, holding a glowing sword, in front of a mountain landscape seen through a gothic archway, with a dark sky and stormy atmosphere.