Jason Dunavin

About me.

I am a husband and father, an actuary, a painter, a writer, and a musician. I took up watercolor painting in 2022 and have painted almost everyday since. I enjoy painting landscapes and urban scenes the most.

I didn’t really have formal training in the arts until well into middle age. I have, however, spent untold hours in art supply stores and stationery shops gawking at rows of paint tubes, brushes, pens, and inks over the past several years. I keep silent at home about my art supplies budget. I have been involved in something to do with music nearly my whole life, from pounding on my grandma’s Wurlitzer organ at the age of 6 to junior high band to taking up guitar at age 16. I’ve also kept a journal most of my adult life and written bad poetry. I haven’t had anything else, though, take hold in the way painting has.

I am a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. I started working in that profession in 2008.

I live with my wife and daughter in Lawrence, Kansas.

Process & materials.

Palette.

I use DaVinci, Daniel Smith, American Journey, and Holbein paints. It’s still early in my exploration so it’s a rotating cast of characters, but I’m starting to settle on these:

  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Cerulean Blue
  • Cobalt Teal
  • Serpentine Genuine
  • Jadeite Genuine
  • Nickel Azo Yellow
  • Benzimidazolone Yellow
  • Permanent Yellow Deep
  • Pyrrole Orange
  • Mayan Orange
  • Quinacridone Lilac
  • Permanent Rose
  • Perylene Maroon
  • Burnt Sienna Deep
  • Raw Sienna Deep
  • Burnt Umber
  • Raw Umber
  • Neutral Tint

I don’t use a palette in the studio, instead storing my paints in little condiment dishes and mixing on a simple sheet of glass. I have two road kits: One is an easel and bag from En Plein Air Pro and the second is the A5 Art Toolkit.

For paper I mostly use one of two brands – either Baohong 300gsm rough or New York Central 300gsm cold-pressed. I’ve tried other brands and like them but these are what I use most.

Exhibitions.

  • 8×8 Juried Exhibition, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence KS — November / December 2024