Downs’ interest in art evolved from his fascination with Art Deco and the Modernist Movement. Coming to California in the early 80’s, and having no formal training in the arts, Downs was fortunate to have had mentors like Karl Benjamin, Jeff Faust and Frederick Hammersley. After exploring different forms of painting, elements of abstraction and minimalism came together to influence his creative direction.

“By speaking clearly in a nonobjec idiom, the goal is to make art that is reflective of modern day life. My process consists of layering spontaneous random marks that are sometimes completely obscured. By working and reworking surfaces, I expose the varying depth of color which creates spaces that expand contract, communicating the work’s shifting moods.”

In the “Manhattan Series”, Downs creates densely layered paintings that dance on the picture plane to openings that disclose colored layers underneath. His compositions display such a deep engagement with the formal and esthetic potential of paint on canvas that they do not fit easily within any recognizable category of contemporary art. The works bring one word to mind-
energy, a sense of action.

The strength in these works is in the artist’s understanding of color, balance and simplicity. His canvases emit a sense of risky adventure.  They are created not of one heavily worked surface, but with four to five hundred painted layers of varying thickness and transparency, all of which subtly interact.

Downs deconstructs layers of his paintings to reveal individual elements, which create the surface tension essential to animating his abstracts. The smallest patch of pigment can be taken as a
whole, complete unto itself.

Downs has been painting professionally for over 28 years and has exhibited nationally and internationally. His work has been included in group shows with noted artists such as Andre Miripolsky, Mark Mothersbaugh, Mark Kostabi and Karl Bemjamin. Downs’ works are included in private collections throughout the world.