INSPIRATION - In rare occasions as with this iconic shot by Dowling of Muhammad Ali, the subject matter does not need an introduction. However, the story behind this shot is one of the moments that changed Dowling's life. Dowling was asked to shoot a children’s charity event. After he said yes, he found out the honoree was legendary boxer and philanthropist Muhammad Ali. Dowling has since believed that it was his destiny to say yes to the requests for his photography at charity event and continued to offer his services for decades. He believed it was karma that his life was spared and it was spared so he could to pay it forward and help others in need as did his hero Muhammad Ali. Read More
A fundamental assumption of modern brain research is that each action in mental/cognitive/emotional realms is correlated with a corresponding specific brain activity pattern. Art in general enables the viewer to exercise a certain detachment from “reality” which, so it seems, provides certain rewards to the art-lover. Abstract art may therefore encourage our brain to respond in a less restrictive and stereotypical manner, exploring new associations, activating alternative paths for emotions, and forming new possibly creative links in our brain.
Abstract art frees our brain from the dominance of reality, enabling the brain to flow within its inner states, create new emotional and cognitive associations and activate brain-states that are otherwise harder to access.
Abstract art has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions, from tranquility and joy to introspection and contemplation. Abstract artworks can evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity, inviting viewers to explore their own emotions and interpretations. Abstract art also has the potential to inspire self-reflection, encouraging individuals to tap into their inner thoughts and contemplate the complexities of existence. Read More
Beyond Texture: The Expressive Power of Impasto in John Dowling’s Art Impasto involves applying thick layers of paint to create texture and dimension. This technique has been a hallmark of expressive painting for centuries. While artists like Van Gogh famously utilized impasto to imbue their works with emotion and movement, John Dowling Jr. takes this technique to new heights, transforming it into a dynamic language of swirling forms and captivating textures. The Dance of the Shapes and Patterns Dowling’s approach to impasto is a symphony of controlled chaos. He wields his spinning art like a conductor’s baton, orchestrating a dance of thick acrylics across the canvas. It’s not just about layering paint. It’s about the movement and the rhythm. The deliberate application of circular motions creates a mesmerizing interplay of textures and depths. Circular Motions: A Signature Style: Dowling’s signature circular impasto technique is evident throughout his body of work. The swirling strokes remind one of a potter shaping clay. They also resemble a sculptor molding form. These strokes create a sense of movement and rhythm. This effect draws the viewer’s eye and invites exploration. These circular patterns create a tactile landscape on the canvas. They vary in thickness and […] Read More
Liquid Surrealism: John Dowling Jr.'s Digital Dance with Photoshop's Liquify Tool
John Dowling Jr.'s American Graffiti collection is a testament to his mastery of digital manipulation, where he transforms photographs into mesmerizing abstract landscapes using Photoshop's Liquify tool. This technique, which we might call "Liquid Surrealism," allows him to sculpt and warp images with an almost painterly fluidity, creating compositions that are both captivating and otherworldly.
The Liquify Tool: A Digital Palette Knife
Imagine Photoshop's Liquify tool as a digital palette knife, allowing Dowling to push, pull, and swirl pixels with the same freedom and expressiveness as a painter wielding a brush. He uses this tool to distort and reshape photographs, creating a symphony of fluid forms and abstract patterns.
A Meticulous Process:
Dowling's process is meticulous and time-consuming. He starts with high-resolution photographs, often capturing scenes from his travels or everyday life. Then, he imports these images into Photoshop and begins the intricate process of transformation.
Warping Reality: Using the Liquify tool, Dowling distorts and reshapes the elements within the photograph. He might stretch a flower into a swirling vortex, morph a tree into a fantastical creature, or transform a cloud into a cascade of liquid color.
Creating Depth and Dimension: He skillfully uses the Liquify tool to create a sense of depth and dimension, pushing elements back into the background or pulling them forward to create a layered, three-dimensional effect.
The Dance of Abstraction: Dowling's process is a dance between control and surrender. He guides the Liquify tool with intention, but also allows for serendipitous discoveries as the pixels warp and blend in unexpected ways. Read More
A thrill of excitement coursed through John Dowling Jr. as he surveyed the canvas, a vibrant tapestry of colors and forms that pulsed with creative energy. "It's finished!" he declared, a grin spreading across his face. After weeks of dedicated work, his latest collaboration with the immensely talented Tsvetan Mumdzhiev had reached its glorious conclusion.
Dowling, a man who thrived on pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, had long admired Mumdzhiev's work. The Bulgarian artist, known for his dynamic compositions and his relentless dedication to his craft, was a kindred spirit, a fellow explorer in the realm of abstract art. Their shared passion for visual storytelling and their mutual respect for unique styles had laid the foundation for a truly remarkable collaboration.
The piece, a mesmerizing fusion of Dowling's signature photographic abstractions and Mumdzhiev's bold graphic elements was a testament to the power of artistic synergy. Dowling had started with a layered photograph of Celine and Celine, two of his favorite models, their forms intertwined in a graceful dance. He then digitally manipulated the image, creating a swirling vortex of colors and textures that evoked a sense of movement and emotion. Read More
In the beginning of my career in making art I did not want to sell the resulting masterpieces but I did want to find out exactly what they were worth. So I created this catalog and put in exaggerated prices knowing that eventually I would either start my own museum of contemporary art, or I would donate the pieces worldwide to museums worldwide. And then fate! The COVID-19 vaccine gave me myocarditis and the dreaded rare side effect of blood clots which in turn gave me a stroke.
That stroke was devastating as it took me two years to be able to talk again, I still can not even sign my own name anymore, and subsequently, I had to have 2 additional fem-pop bypassed on both legs after not being able to walk for over a year. So now I have to sell my art in order to provide for my care and medical expense throughout the rest of my life. The price to acquire each masterpiece and to sell a minimum of 10 editions of each is $37,500 when you purchase all 850 pieces. Read More
