Tim Downing

Bio

Tim Downing has been creating art his entire life. A Graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, 1995, BFA. Emphasis in painting and sculpture. 

He has a large steel sculpture in front of the campus library, installed in 1995.  Five separate pieces constituting a singular form, averaging 15’ tall each. It was an honor to be the 1st permanent sculpture in the history of NWMSU. 

Tim hasn’t shown much of his work over the years for various reasons, but he intends to make an effort to get his art into the world. One of his main influences has always been music. Sounds take shape and are expressed on canvas or other media. It is his excuse for having a record collection on steroids. 

Major art influences are Far Eastern Art, both visually and philosophically. The ritual, the journey. Of course, Van Gogh has had an impact on his choice of color and texture. 

Tim also has an interest in the correlation between art and physics. String theory suggests there are 11 dimensions. He has explored how one would depict 11 dimensions on a 2-dimensional plane. Actually, 4 because 7 are too small to see. With charcoal, with wood, with a lot of great music. 

Artist Statement

Robert Henri, 20th-century painter/teacher, stated that “Art is the outward expression of the inner need.” Similar to Rene Descartes, “I think, therefore I am. (Exist). I offer, I MAKE things exist, therefore I am. I’ve been primarily working in clay for the last three years. Building at home, then bisque fire, glaze, and glaze fire at Belger Studios. Prior to that my disciplines were painting (oil), spray painting (acrylic) mixed media. Sculpting, Steel, wood, and found objects. Large hardboard panels with charcoal, pastel, and latex paint.

Abstract expressionistic surrealism would be an adequate description. With clay, I have found I can incorporate all those disciplines.

I am a hand builder, sculptor, and carver of clay. Mainly coil slab when necessary.

I work intuitively both in the creation of form and the choice of color/ glaze. Sometimes I will have a plan and a destination in mind. Other times is creating a problem and finding a solution or attempting to. That takes time and space, which influences the scale. Limited by the size of the kiln or my desire to engineer. 

I’ve done larger pieces with multiple components attached to 10’ cedar posts with success and plan to do more. 

Currently, I use midrange clay and glaze, though I intend to explore cone 10 high fire in the future. Though I am content with mid-range.             

That’s the thing about clay. I have only scratched the surface of possibilities. But I will gladly take the plunge. One Rabbit Hole after another.

Exhibitions