Jux-T. According to Downing, “Jux-T is the foundation of creativity—it is spontaneous thinking in congruence with mechanical precision to fuse an assemblage of elements. It is painting a factual reality that moves the mind. Fabric enhancements bring the work to life. The pieces are fun to create, but are not always displaying a pleasant truth.” Downing’s art, which has been influenced by his teachers as well by the work of abstract artist Mark Rothko and Paul Cézanne, has been on display in various exhibits in the tri-state area and can be found in many private collections. His work will be featured in an exhibit this fall at the Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children. Since the work will be spread out over three floors, it will showcase three different facets of Downing’s work— his abstract art, his sports paintings, and then his collage work. This exhibit will be open to the public from September through November. Then, in June of 2018, he has an exhibit planned for the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, Del.
When he’s not teaching or working on his art, he also serves on the board of the Everett Theater and Gibby Arts Center in Middletown. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Townsend, and he credits her with helping him with all his work, pointing out that none of it would be possible without her support. For more information about Downing’s work, visit www.juxt58.com or email juxt58@live.com. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty. com.
Sports paintings are a part of Miltons’s catalog of work. www.middletownlifemagazine.com | Fall/Winter 2017 | Middletown Life
41