Caleb Dowdell

As an artist, I strive to demonstrate the idea that if one looks closely enough, one can find color and hope in the darkest points of life. Whether I am painting, sculpting, singing, performing, or drawing, I believe that art has the power to change minds and instill resiliency and inspiration into those in need. I use art to address social issues and share my faith. The ability to touch people’s hearts and even bring them to tears with my art makes me realize that I have the power to enact real change through my creative expression. From the first moment I saw how my artwork could touch a person’s heart, a fiery passion sparked in me as I realized that my art could help people in ways that words alone could not. I have seen my work help people face grief and loss and find comfort and strength in the arms of their faith. I’ve never lost sight of how my art can communicate such compassion, delight, freedom, heartbreak, triumph, and more. For me personally, art is a therapeutic release. I make art to survive. I feel most free when I paint, lost in a sea of colors and imagination. Even after intense forethought and planning, when I paint, I release the illusion of control and attack the canvas, allowing something unexpected to emerge. In my paintings, I use bold color yet subtle symbolism to highlight injustices and capture emotion and beauty. As I apply colors, I often take time for personal reflection, worship, and prayer and, as I paint the picture in my head, I find truth within the imagery. In the darkest periods of my life, God has worked on my heart through the art-making process. I found peace and pulled inspiration from powerful memories, scripture, and life lessons learned. Moreover, I have discovered that making art is an opportunity to find healing for myself and, if I do it right, I can also reach others. The gratification of connecting with others and sharing my skills is part of why I also love teaching art. Teaching youth and adults inventive art techniques and providing them with the same release that I have found in the creative process is pure joy. For me, art serves as a universal language to communicate truth, inspire others, preserve memories, and remind us all to press forward and embrace the beauty of life.