Painter and teacher who was born in Northumberland, where he was educated at Alnwick. He graduated from King’s College, Durham University, 1960–4, teachers including Victor Pasmore. Dawson initially taught at the College of Art & Industrial Design, Newcastle, shortly after taking up a post at Epsom and Ewell School of Art. During that time he started to review an early interest in abstract painting, becoming increasingly influenced by Impressionism. In 1971, he began an association with the Furneaux Gallery, with mixed and solo exhibitions; in 1977, he was elected a member of NEAC; and shortly after that he gave up teaching, moving to Wiltshire to spent more time painting. Further solo shows included Edwin Pollard Gallery from 1983 and The Guggleton Farm Arts Project, Stalbridge, Dorset, 1998, where he did some part-time teaching.