Dawn Waveborne (sunrise black dragon)

Dawn Waveborne was inspired by the idea of beginnings.

Unlike many dragons that are associated with power, conflict, or guarding treasure, this one arrived as something quieter. Emerging from the waves beneath a rising sun, the dragon feels less like a conqueror and more like a companion to the changing light. The floral patterns that wind through its body suggest growth, renewal, and the small transformations that often go unnoticed while they are happening.

The painting combines influences from decorative pattern work, mandala design, and the flowing forms found in water. Metallic gold leaf plays an important role in the composition, reflecting light differently throughout the day and creating subtle shifts in the surface. As the light changes, the relationship between the dragon, the waves, and the rising sun changes with it.

Like the other paintings in the Sea Dragons collection, Dawn Waveborne began as an exploration rather than a fixed idea. I was interested in creating a creature that felt both mythical and approachable—something that invited curiosity rather than demanding attention.

For me, the painting carries a sense of optimism. Not the dramatic kind that arrives with certainty, but the quieter feeling that comes with standing at the beginning of something and choosing to move forward.

Original mixed media painting with acrylic, ink, and metallic leaf on watercolor paper.

Original: 18" x 24". Framed: 24" x 30".