Dorothy Fagan received her B. F. A. in printmaking and painting from East Carolina University. She has been awarded membership in the Pastel Society of America and the Academic Artists Association's Medal of Honor for Pastel. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the continent including: The Pastel Society of Canada, Ottawa; The National Arts Club, American Artists Professional League, Salmagundi Club and Knickerbocker Artists, New York City; The Copley Society, Boston; New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark; the Virginia Contemporary Museum of Art, Virginia Beach; and the Virginia Museum and Gallery Mayo, Richmond, Virginia. Her work is included in many public and private collections including The City University of New York, General Electric, Wintergreen Resort, Colonial American National Bank, North American Marketing Company, Emory University, First National Exchange Bank.

Throughout her life she has studied the practical applications of creativity. She has developed and taught programs for the Virginia Community College system, Virginia Museum affiliates, as well as public and private schools. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, she now lives in Virginia with her husband, Jim, and their two dogs, Kate and Allie.