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amy dowell – C O V E R A R T I S T –
WORDS: ROBYN VINCENT P H O T O : WA D E D U N S TA N
Amy Dowell’s work is shrouded in dark elegance. Through the use of graphite and ink, acrylics, and ink emblazed on the skin of folks who wait months to be tattooed by her, Amy’s art coalesces nuances of nature, humanity, love, conflict, truth and myth. Her portraits, often depicting faces with penetrating eyes, leave an indelible mark on the viewer. Once an impressionist landscape artist, Amy received a BA in drawing and painting from the University of Wyoming. “I’ve always had and still do have an immense fascination with impressionism and how free and full of life each piece is,” Amy says. “It’s just extraordinary, and unlike any other type of art, in that it makes you feel a part of whatever you are looking at.”
After discovering the portrait and human formwork of impressionists such as John William Waterhouse, Edward Potthast, and John Singer Sargent, Amy found herself focusing on people and portraits. From there her style evolved to reflect her personal experiences. “I feel that in the last four years I have seen the greatest rate of maturation in my work, and I’ve been through a lot in that time, and it’s all leading me to something very exciting with my art,” she says. Cognizant of her surroundings, Amy draws inspiration from the details woven softly in between. “It’s everything I come into contact with on a day-to-day basis really,” she says, “life, people, global affairs, this beautiful place that we get to call home, emotion, and the desire to tap into the imagination and realize
it is capable of anything.” Snowboarding has also secured a steady corner in Amy’s work. You could say it’s somewhat of a family affair. “With my husband Adam being a professional snowboarder and very immersed in the culture, snowboarding is a big part of our lives,” she explains. “Growing up in Jackson, and snowboarding, there is a deep connection with the landscape that forms, and I find that to be reemerging as a huge influence in my work.” A final noteworthy tidbit: Amy and Adam’s “first real date” was the 2011 annual JH Snowboarder Magazine party. “We consider that our anniversary,” Amy says. “This year will mark fours years together.”
