Colophon for "Triangular Fugue" 1965

John Dowell made this print, titled "Colophon for 'Triangular Fugue,'" at the University of Washington during the last six months of 1965. The red and blue linear marks feel spontaneous, like they’re dancing across the page. It's as if Dowell is improvising, letting the materials guide him. I love how the texture of the paper peeks through the washes of color, creating depth and a sense of layering. The red splatters in the bottom left remind me of blood, like the print is alive and breathing. And those scribbled blue lines could be anything – figures, landscapes, abstract forms. It makes me think of Cy Twombly's work, especially in the way he combines text and image, blurring the line between writing and drawing. Ultimately, this piece is about the joy of making, the beauty of imperfection, and the endless possibilities of art.