I Am Woman 2011

Dave Macdowell’s "I Am Woman" is rendered with bold acrylic paint and a playful eye, it’s a riot. The way he lays down color feels intuitive, like he’s figuring it out as he goes, which I totally respect. The texture is smooth, almost like a graphic novel, but there’s a definite handmade feel. I love the pinks and reds, how they clash and sing at the same time. Look at that wine glass, the way it catches the light. It’s not about perfection; it’s about energy. The line is loose and free, creating these cartoonish figures. It reminds me a bit of some of Phillip Guston's later work, that same willingness to embrace the absurd. Ultimately, Macdowell reminds us that art is a conversation, a back-and-forth between intention and accident, and that’s where the magic happens.