Dolores Ann Gard Justus was born in Morristown, New Jersey, but spent the early years of her life in Oregon. Her love of nature was grounded in her experiences in the Northwest and were carried with her when she moved to the South. She currently lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas where she works as an artist and art director/designer.

Inspired by the natural world, Justus’ paintings reflect a sensitive and intuitive view that distills patterns of light and form into compositions that engage and inspire. Her painterly style also contributes to the interactive quality of her art. In her exploration of the confluence of optics and painterly abstraction, her work belongs to the “new landscape” movement of contemporary American art.

“I’ve always had a strong identification with nature and am continually in awe of the depth of inspiration that it offers. Despite all its variety, there are essential elements in it and in us all, that we respond to. It is those universal, underlying truths that I seek to communicate in my own work." - Dolores Justus

Justus' work has been exhibited in solo and group shows throughout the nation and abroad for more than 20 years. A few highlights include: Sight Lines (solo exhibit) at the Degas Gallery, New Orleans, LA (2017); Finding Center (solo exhibit) at the Annesdale Park Gallery, Memphis, TN (2015); Migration Patterns (solo exhibit) at the Roger D. Malkin Gallery - E. E. Bass Cultural Arts Center, Greenville, MS (2015); Coming Up for Air (solo exhibit) at the Catherine Kelleghan Gallery, Atlanta, GA (2009); Horizon Lines (solo exhibit) at the University of Arkansas Mullins Library, Fayetteville, AR (2005); Landscape Love (solo exhibit) at Justus Fine Art Gallery, Hot Springs, AR (2017); Interwoven, a joint exhibition with sculptor Robyn Horn, at Greg Thompson Fine Art, Little Rock, AR (2011-12); Best of the South at Greg Thompson Fine Art, Little Rock, AR (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017); 23rd Anniversary Exhibition at Greg Thompson Fine Art, Little Rock, AR (2018); Sea & Sky at Degas Gallery, New Orleans, LA (2016); Southern Women Artists at Greg Thompson Fine Art, Little Rock, AR (2012, 2013, 2014); the Color of Love­–paintings by Four Women Artists at the Catherine Kelleghan Gallery, Atlanta, GA (2008); the Arkansas Women in the Arts Exhibit in Washington, D.C. (2000-2001); the 43, 44, & 55 Delta Exhibitions at the Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, AR; Creators/Collectors at the Baum Gallery, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR (2002); Perspectives on Painting at Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR (2009); and many others. Justus earned a B.A. in Fine Art from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.  

Collections include: the University of Arkansas, Health and Sciences Center, Fort Smith, AR; the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, Pine Bluff, AR; Iberia Bank, Little Rock, AR; the Alluvian Hotel, Greenwood, MS; Delta Trust Bank, Little Rock, AR; CASA Women’s Shelter, Pine Bluff, AR; Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR; Mercy Healthcenter, Hot Springs, AR; UAMS Hospital, Little Rock, AR; CARTI Foundation, Little Rock, AR; Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR; Arkansas Center for Health Education, Fort Smith, AR; Arkansas Arts Council, Little Rock, AR; the Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, AR; and others.

Justus is currently represented by Greg Thompson Fine Art in North Little Rock, Arkansas; the Degas Gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana; Art Ventures in Fayetteville, Arkansas; and at her own gallery, Justus Fine Art in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In addition to painting, Justus is also an accomplished art director and designer, operating the Justus Design & Marketing firm. Her strong design and literary skills have been employed in a variety of advertising and commercial mediums.