Bowlby’s representational paintings on display at CMC Gallery through March 26
By Kristin Carlson
GLENWOOD SPRINGS – For those who think they know artist Dean Bowlby’s work, some surprises are in store among the pieces in his newest exhibit.
Describing his new show at the Colorado Mountain College gallery in downtown Glenwood, Bowlby said, “I’ll bring in things off our living room walls — pieces I’ve kept because they were interesting, little things I just painted for myself that never made it out the door.”
Because the CMC Gallery is a learning environment, Bowlby has decided to include a few of his less-polished studies to invite critique and questioning. “If there are any budding art critics out there,” Bowlby jested, “this is a great show to sharpen your pencils for.”
A Roaring Fork Valley native and a keen student of his surroundings, Bowlby grounds all of his art in careful observation. Even his most impressionistic work is underpinned by a strong foundation in representational drawing. At the heart of his work, however, is a pure, insatiable curiosity. Like the children he used to teach at Glenwood Springs Elementary School, he draws and paints what interests him in the moment.
“Since last fall, I’ve been interested in looking closer at simple objects,” Bowlby said, “in finding beauty in simple things. I love painting Mount Sopris, but I’m also attracted by my coffee cup.”
Street scenes from Bowlby’s European show also on view
In addition to landscapes and object studies, the CMC Gallery will display a number of pieces from Bowlby’s recent exhibit in Paris, scenes of sidewalk cafés and city shop fronts. “I was surprised by the Paris show,” Bowlby said. “Some of the pieces that were chosen for display are coffee stained.” Pausing for a moment, he added, “But they’re in these exquisite frames” that create an interesting juxtaposition of intentional beauty with messy accident.
Bowlby is particularly celebrated for his plein-air painting. He jokes that when his children were young, they defined the word “vacation” as “where we go and Dad paints outside.” His children are adults now, but Bowlby still paints wherever he travels — from the streets of Rome to the byways of the Roaring Fork Valley.
His training includes a degree from Regis College and intensive study with established artists. “I have stolen from the best teachers in the world,” Bowlby acknowledged. “I owe everything to them.”
This spring he is teaching a figure drawing class, along with artist Dan Sprick, at the CMC Glenwood Center. He is also the featured artist in this year’s Jim Calaway Honors Series concert brochure. His paintings can be found in private and public galleries around the world.
The CMC Gallery exhibit is now on display and runs through March 26. An opening reception will be held Feb. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information about this exhibit or other CMC Center for Excellence in the Arts events, please contact Alice Beauchamp at 947-8367.