Dawn Hampton
Mixed media on canvas, 40 inches x 30 inches, 2008
This portrait is of the inspirational and legendary dancer, singer and cabaret artiste Dawn Hampton, who performed with artists such as Cab Calloway and Bette Midler, and inspired Lindy Hop dancers all over the world through her teaching of musicality. Learn more about Dawn and her incredible family of musicians in the documentary “The Unforgettable Hampton Family”. This painting depicts Dawn dressed up for one of the theme nights at the Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden in 2008. The painting was displayed as part of Dawn’s 82nd birthday celebrations in San Francisco, June, 2010. Sadly Dawn just passed September 25th, 2016. She will be greatly missed.
At that same Herrang dance camp in 2008, Dawn sat for a 3 minute portrait I created as a live painting performance, “Happy Feet, Happy Paint”, during the weekly Herrang cabaret evening. Even in sitting she shows her humor, spirit and musicality! Enjoy the video:
Dawn and her portrait, the Harlem Hotshots, Chris Lee and I at the Diego Rivera Theater, City College of San Francisco.
Dawn and I at the Diego Rivera Theater, City College of San Francisco.
Dawn talking at the Rent Party, San Francisco, June 2010
Here are some details of the painted canvas:
