JENNIFER DOWDELL
Jennifer obtained her BFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology and enjoyed an award-winning career in graphic design, marketing and advertising. She retired in 2010 to take care of her parents in their last years. After their passing, she realized the importance of living intentionally and joyfully. She decided not to return to the corporate world, and instead, she began to create her art.
In 2018, she became an exhibiting member of the Buffalo Society of Artists. She also joined the Western New York Artists Group, for which she served on their board of directors for five years. Currently, she serves on the Interior Design Association of WNY board as social events chair.
Jennifer enjoys collecting and utilizing various collage materials and a combination of acrylic paints, graphite, charcoal, and oil pastels to create her unique and textural paintings. Jennifer has earned several local and national awards for her mixed-media abstract works.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My art is focused on creating contemporary abstracts with a nod to the past.
I’m a sentimental girl who hated history class (sorry Mr. Bushor) but now loves to ponder the past. I strive to incorporate that mystery of history into my artwork.
Aged patina, rough edges, muted tones, graceful handwriting, personal notes once treasured, stains, imperfections, layers, and ghostly images with a beautiful haunting spirit.
I have an ongoing collection of vintage finds like antique books, in which the best parts are often the handwritten inscriptions by the gifter. Other parts I utilize are the bindings and materials used to make the book which I tear apart and often place in my artwork.
“ I want to create something new from something old. I often wonder as I place a piece of handwritten history into one of my paintings and think, what would this person think of me using their obscure note in a work of art?”
My collection also includes beautiful illustrations and engravings of talented artists long before cameras were invented. I’ve rescued love letters, business ledgers, stamps, antique documents, lots of art history books, and many unique papers from estate sales. I also use everyday items like sewing patterns and architectural drawings in my work.
Additionally, I have fun creating new collage papers with my own marks that nestle side-by-side with the vintage items in my work. Incorporating these with acrylic paints, graphite, charcoal, and oil pastels creates something unique and unexpected. My artwork is abstract and doesn’t necessarily represent anything; it’s more of an overall feeling I’m trying to convey.