The Art of David Paul Downs

Artifact (painting series 2008-2009)
Photography (mixed archive)
Illustration
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Las Manos Gallery

Just a fun announcement about the status of my work that was seen last month at Las Manos Gallery located in Andersonville of Chicago... The show went quite well, turning up many enthusiastic art enthusiasts. Las Manos always attracts a great crowd due to the impeccable taste of Michelle Peterson-Albandoz and the professional look of the gallery she runs. Well... it turns out that my work shall continue to be on display in the back half of the gallery due to the interest people have show in my work! A few pieces have sold so far, and I am working to bring in more. I will also be added to the website shortly.

I am also working on some new and secret work for the Las Manos March show for 2010. I am looking forward to expanding upon some of my techniques. Right now I am just experimenting with ideas, but I will hopefully have an update on my progress in the near future.

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The Artist:

My photo
I am an artist living in Chicago, Illinois. I work in most mediums, including oil, ink, pencil, photography, digital, watercolor, etc. I am also working on my first extensive graphic novel series, as of yet to be titled.

Artist Statement

Through the combination of careful photographic processes and experimental painting, I am working toward a dialogue between order and chaos. I often use the relationship between man (or man-made structures) and nature (how nature consumes these structures with time) to create this conversation. 
With camera in hand, I seek out man-made structures that have been left behind to wither and corrode with time. Ship graveyards, abandoned buildings, obsolete machinery... these artifacts of modern civilization are what inspire me most. When the right image presents itself, canvas preparation begins. Texture is added layer upon layer using soil mixed with acrylic primer. I alternate between construction and deconstruction, repeatedly dousing the canvas with water and letting it dry to achieve a network of cracks and crevasses to mimic the effects of erosion. The photographic image is then transferred by means of acrylic polymer medium, and then restored by tediously repainting the image in oil or acrylic.

My current work grew from a combined love of photography and painting. I have always been drawn to the clarity and directness of the black and white photograph. A print made through traditional means has a way of feeling “true” in it’s representation of a subject matter. However, a photograph only explains the outer half of the story. Through painting, I can open the inner half. I can express how I was affected personally. My work attempts to bring these conversational devices together in a bold and organic way. As the viewer looks upon my work, they are challenged to see beyond the image that is presented, and absorb it’s greater meaning.    

C. V.

Solo Exhibitions:

2006 “Age and Decay”
The Lucky Cat, New York, NY

Selected Group Exhibitions:

2009 "Die Zeit of Drawing"
Climate/Gallery, New York, NY

2009 "Local Artists"
Las Manos Gallery, Chicago, IL

2009 "New Photographs"
Las Manos Gallery, Chicago, IL

2009 "Deck Deck Deck"
APW Gallery, New York, NY

2009 “Miriam Benezra Memorial Scholarship Show”
Griffin Gallery, Chicago, IL

2008 "2nd Annual Square Foot Show"
The Galaxie, Chicago, IL

2005 “Subversive Means”
Dick Blick Gallery, New York, NY

2005 “NoHo ArtWalk”, New York, NY

2005 “Emily Rosen and David Downs”
Dick Blick Gallery, New York, NY

Education:

2003 The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Scholarships Awarded:
Merit Scholarship

1998-2000 St. Louis Community College at Meramec
Scholarships Awarded:
Merit Scholarship

Workshops:

2008 "Comic Book Creation and Publication" The Galaxie, Chicago, IL
2007 “Comic Book Design and Creation” Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston, IL
2007 “Comic Book Workshop” Chicago Botanic Gardens

Published Works:

2008 Sprocketbox.com (editor, web-designer)
2006 “M” issue 1, Triton Comics (writer, artist)

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