Dana Lewson

Dana Lewson is a driven young creative and developing Illustrator. Having just finished a Foundation Diploma in Design and Media, focusing on visual communication design, she is continuing her creative journey at University of the Arts London to study Illustration.

Lewson’s creative practice is largely shaped by personal interests and experiences, with inspiration also occasionally being drawn from societal issues and political themes. During her time as a foundation student, she has developed skills in digital programs such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. She enjoys working digitally but always prefers to work traditionally when she is able.

For her Final Major Project, Lewson drew inspiration from her diverse taste in music, spanning multiple genres and decades. She has created a series of four mixed-media canvases with experimental typography and a focus on fashion to convey her message. Through this outcome, she aims to educate teenagers and young adults on the power of lyrical expression and the social and political issues, both past and present, that have inspired artists to write.

Poison In Your Human Machine – Part of Lewson's Final Major Project, this piece is the first in a series of four mixed media canvases exploring lyricism and music culture through the decades. Inspired by the eruption of both punk music and fashion in the 1970's, this lyric comes from “God Save The Queen” by the Sex Pistols.

If You Got The Money – This piece is the second instalment in Lewson's Final Major Project. Inspired by the rampant consumerism and commercialism of the 1980's due to technological advancements and a boosted economy, this lyric comes from “Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns N' Roses.

Miss World – This piece is the third instalment in Lewson's Final Major Project. Inspired by the feminist Riot Girl movement of the 1990's and the double standards that female celebrities are held to, this lyric comes from “Miss World” by Hole.

Idiot America – This piece is the final instalment in Lewson's Final Major Project. Inspired by the surge of pop-punk and scene fashion in the 2000's, as well as today's political climate, this lyric comes from “American Idiot” by Green Day.

Their Story — Joan Jett – Their Story was an illustration-based project aiming to create a story for young children inspired by “Little People, Big Dreams”. Lewson's person of interest was Joan Jett. She was inspired by Jett's determination to succeed despite the sexism that she faced due to her dreams of being a rock musician.