My art is rooted in contemporary abstraction, yet always in conversation with the past. I try to weave that sense of history—its beauty, fragility, and imperfection—into every painting I create.

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I’m drawn to aged patinas, rough edges, muted tones, and fragments of handwriting or personal notes once treasured. Stains, imperfections, and ghostly traces all carry a haunting beauty for me. If you’ve ever wandered through an old cemetery, reading names and dates etched into weathered stones, you know the feeling I strive to capture: a quiet curiosity, a sense of presence, and a connection to those who came before us.

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I collect vintage finds—antique books, love letters, business ledgers, stamps, documents, and illustrations by artists long before cameras existed. Often the best part of a book is the handwritten inscription from the gifter, or the tactile richness of its binding. These become treasures I tear apart and repurpose, layering them into my paintings. Sometimes I chuckle while embedding a forgotten note into a piece, wondering what its original writer would think of it becoming part of a work of art.

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Alongside these rescued materials, I create my own collage papers, marked and textured by hand. Combined with acrylics, graphite, charcoal, and oil pastels, they bring unexpected layers and stories to the canvas.

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My paintings rarely depict something tangible; instead, they evoke a feeling. Because my moods shift day by day, I never quite know what will emerge. Once a piece is complete, I sit with it, listen to what it whispers back, and only then do I give it a name.

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At its heart, my work is about honoring the past while creating something new—connecting lost voices and forgotten fragments to the present moment, giving them fresh life in a new form.

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"I'm not trying to make statements necessarily in my art, but I hope the viewer resonates with something within it." 

- Jen Dowdell

 

I have been honored both locally and nationally for my artwork, and regularly exhibit when the opportunity arises. I enjoy being an exhibiting member of the Buffalo Society of Artists and the Western New York Artists Group.  I also enjoy being an active member of the Interior Design Association of WNY , currently serving on the Board of Directors.

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As of March 2025, I will be represented by The Comma Fine Art Gallery in Orchard Park, NY! It's very exciting to be a part of this boutique gallery alongside other local artists. I will have a selection of original artwork on display and available for purchase.

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When I'm not painting, I enjoy spending time with my husband, my family and friends, gardening, traveling, and riding the Peloton.