Dorothy Tilson was born in Montreal, Quebec, where she was raised and educated. She moved to Brampton in 1963 and took a commercial art course for two years. While at Central Tech in Toronto, she was introduced to a variety of mediums: pottery, sculpture, watercolours and charcoal. Since that time, Dorothy has been primarily self-taught.

She came to Muskoka in 1972. In 1998, after a lengthy illness, with the encouragement and support of her caregiver, family and friends, Dorothy decided to take up her pencils and brushes again. Children, pets and the wildlife of Muskoka are her favourite subjects with the occasional Muskoka landscape thrown in for good measure.

Dorothy is a member of Muskoka Arts & Crafts and has exhibited at the Spring Members' Shows. She also has had exhibitions in Windermere, Port Carling, Aurora and North Bay where many of her works have sold. Her studio, the Uprooted Gallery, is located at Muskoka Falls on Highway 118 East near Bracebridge.