Dawn Rentz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and spent many years living in the rural part of that state. It was this environment with the big skies and plentiful plant forms that set the stage for Rentz’s connection to nature.
After graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Fibers, Rentz moved to Asheville, NC and has kept an art studio there for over 25 years. Starting as a textile designer with a line of hand printed fabrics, Rentz transitioned to painting using blocks and patterns in her mixed media paintings of ethereal landscapes with intertwined botanical imagery.
Rentz’s paintings have been exhibited nationwide and collected internationally. Her work can be found in numerous private and public collections, including the Asheville Museum of Art, Biltmore Farms, Enpro Industries, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Westin Corporation, and many others.
Artist Statement
My current paintings are an exploration of an atmosphere of light. I am drawn to the horizon and the expressive nature of skies that give me a sense of peace. Whether along the coast, a lake, the plains, or the mountains, I find calm in the wide-open spaces. Above them, the sky unfolds endlessly, sometimes vibrant, sometimes subdued, yet always carrying a lingering beauty. Each piece offers a quiet space for reflection as a subtle gesture toward calm and clarity. In a world where there is so much darkness, it is my intention to remind the viewer of light and hope.