Michael McDowell- A Master Painter of the East End and a Friend.

It’s almost autumn in the Hamptons, which translates into more free time. Now with daylight savings sill in effect, there is still more time after work to enjoy the outdoors and recreate. A favorite destination is always an art show at historic Ashawagh Hall in Springs where many local artists exhibit their work. Coming this September 22, at Ashwagh Hall, East Hampton master artist Michael McDowell will present  "Forth" his most recent work in a solo show. This is another opportunity to see a large collection of Michael's work in one place. A Californian schooled artist who was influenced by the San Francisco Bay Area figurative painters, such as Paul Wonner, Wayne Thiebaud, and Richard Diebenkorn who boldly used shapes, colors and motion to create a distinct feel.

It took many friends and patrons to convince Michael to finally show a large selection of his paintings a few years back, because Michael, a very private painter, is a purist who never was focused on selling his works.  Throughout the years he has been commissioned on both coasts to create paintings for knowledgeable art collectors. Painting almost 35 years in the Hampton’s, Michael has been influenced by the brilliant light, shapes, and forms that are the essence of the area. His works are not narrow in scope but seem to have a consistent tone that draws the viewer into the painting. His view of his talent is that he was born to create this genre of art. It is what he does. He is an oil painter who some have called a genius with color, using the full spectrum of light defined by a unique grasp of how colors should engage each other. Michael says, “In nature light is color and in painting color makes light.” This defines the philosophy of his approach to painting. His wife, Judy Lynn-McDowell calls him, “an artist’s artist. Because he is a purest he does art for art’s sake and it’s who he is.” Michael agrees adding, “I am lucky to know that this is my passion.”

Therefore on Saturday September 22, from 5-9 p.m., Michael will be at Ashawagh along with many notable art lovers to see his latest presentation of his collection on display. It will be a great opportunity to get out and see his amazing work in this unique solo show.

In a pre show viewing of Michael McDowell’s collection I was taken by the diversity of his work. The pronounced used of textured oils plays with both sunlight and artificial light in a very complicated way that draws the viewer to pause think and focus. There is a distinctive wit behind many of the themes of the work I viewed. For years I always said in print  articles I would purchase some of his work myself if I had a place to display it so that I could look at it intensely. Well, this last year, I married Cindi Sansone-Braff and we purchased a wonderful home and now have three Michael McDowell paintings hanging on our walls. I saw one, Lazy Point, at an Ashawagh show a fews years back and finally purchased it last year. For more information and details call 631 324 6620. The Curator/Producer of the showing is Haim Mizrahi,