Larger than Life
The Art that Jack Built
“My work is for the enjoyment of lovers of humor and to the annoyance of all others,” said sculptor Jack Dowd. His larger-than-life characters include limited edition butlers represented in 10 galleries nationwide including the Gallery on the Green in Woodstock. Other work includes “Earth Angel,” a critically-acclaimed New Orleans-style street performer with wings and a halo that he had hoped to display on the street outside the gallery in Woodstock. He is also noted for “Dot and Charlie,” a heartwarming retired couple waving from their camper; an Asian tourist adorned with cameras (one with a super long lens) and a Goofy hat; and a startling and award-winning punk from the “Biker Series,” sculptures combining real props with his life-size wood figures. Most recently, he completed “Redneck,” a lovable bronze character to be displayed leaning against a car door in an outdoor exhibit in Stowe, Vermont. All his characters represent real people and are rendered with a great sense of humor, bordering on the absurd.
”I didn’t invent these characters. I pick subjects from people I see,” said Jack of his sculptures formed in clay, cast in bronze, and painted in full color. Their expression, body language, wardrobe, and props combine to tell the story of where they have been and where they are going.
“I like off-beat, people people. They are not usually the subject of art. I am making it art,” said Jack with a smile. At 62-years-young, Jack shows his spirit and sense of humor in conversation. With the support of his wife, Jill, and help from his grown children, Jack has successfully built art into a business. He has created limited editions that “sell” so he can create the unique sculptures of everyday people for display in museums and competitions.
A self-taught artist, Jack began his career by turning blocks of wood into folk art using a chainsaw in the 70’s while living in Plainfield, Vermont. When the totem pole effect of a block of wood became too confining for movement in his characters, he started to work in clay. This allows him to take risks. To make a change, he simply adds or removes clay. First he builds a form using wire and mesh adding and molding clay to create a model. A rubber mold is made from the model then bronze figures can be cast singly or in a limited edition.
Represented locally by Gallery on the Green since 1988, Jack has many “butlers” greeting visitors in local homes. He counts among his most noted collectors Burt Reynolds, Randy Travis, Mike Ditka and Steve Case, as well as institutions and corporations.
“Students gain a rewarding experience and learn outdoor, team building, and leadership skills. More importantly, That brings Jack to “Last Call” and to Woodstock. He has come to the area, not for vacation, but to work sun-up to sundown, seven days a week, to create three of the thirteen life-sized figures that will interact along a 22-foot mahogany bar. Jack describes this sculpture, his biggest undertaking to date, as a cultural tribute to the vibrancy and social vitality of New York City.
Welcome to Jack’s New York neighborhood bar. This sculpture is the culmination of Jack’s experience in and around bars, and the people he has met along the way. Over 12 years, he owned and managed 11 bars including Jack’s Backyard in Burlington, St. Johnsbury, and Barre. For added inspiration of a New York variety, he researched and photographed bars throughout the Village.
We enter this Jack’s Backyard through an antique door with a sign etched in the glass and colorful bumper sticker proclaiming the latest, greatest slogans. It’s four in the morning and this could be considered “home” to the patrons. Through these characters, Jack captures the mood and atmosphere of the moment in time. The star of the show, the bartender, pours two shots. A rollerblading professional conducts business on his cell phone. An urban cowboy leans and another patron sleeps on the bar. A mysterious woman engages in conversation and a whimsical flower lady peddles her posies. A plumber hangs out and a kitchen worker catches up on the latest news.
The Art that Jack Built
by Kirsten Gehlbach
Published in the Foliage 2000 issue of The Quechee Times.
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Jack Dowd creates the form he will then sculpt in clay to create an urban cowboy character leaning on the bar in “Last Call.” The sculpture’s 13 life-size characters along a traditional New York bar will be on exhibit at the Ringling Museum of Art in June 2001.
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”I didn’t invent these characters. I pick subjects from people I see,” said Jack of his sculptures formed in clay, cast in bronze, and painted in full color. Their expression, body language, wardrobe, and props combine to tell the story of where they have been and where they are going.
“I like off-beat, people people. They are not usually the subject of art. I am making it art,” said Jack with a smile. At 62-years-young, Jack shows his spirit and sense of humor in conversation. With the support of his wife, Jill, and help from his grown children, Jack has successfully built art into a business. He has created limited editions that “sell” so he can create the unique sculptures of everyday people for display in museums and competitions. |
| “The Flower Lady” is one of three life-sized figures Jack will sculpt while in Woodstock this summer. The artist will discuss his work at a reception at the Gallery on the Green in Woodstock on August 12 from 5 to 7 p.m.. |
A self-taught artist, Jack began his career by turning blocks of wood into folk art using a chainsaw in the 70’s while living in Plainfield, Vermont. When the totem pole effect of a block of wood became too confining for movement in his characters, he started to work in clay. This allows him to take risks. To make a change, he simply adds or removes clay. First he builds a form using wire and mesh adding and molding clay to create a model. A rubber mold is made from the model then bronze figures can be cast singly or in a limited edition.Represented locally by Gallery on the Green since 1988, Jack has many “butlers” greeting visitors in local homes. He counts among his most noted collectors Burt Reynolds, Randy Travis, Mike Ditka and Steve Case, as well as institutions and corporations.“Students gain a rewarding experience and learn outdoor, team building, and leadership skills. More importantly, That brings Jack to “Last Call” and to Woodstock. He has come to the area, not for vacation, but to work sun-up to sundown, seven days a week, to create three of the thirteen life-sized figures that will interact along a 22-foot mahogany bar. Jack describes this sculpture, his biggest undertaking to date, as a cultural tribute to the vibrancy and social vitality of New York City.Welcome to Jack’s New York neighborhood bar. This sculpture is the culmination of Jack’s experience in and around bars, and the people he has met along the way. Over 12 years, he owned and managed 11 bars including Jack’s Backyard in Burlington, St. Johnsbury, and Barre. For added inspiration of a New York variety, he researched and photographed bars throughout the Village.We enter this Jack’s Backyard through an antique door with a sign etched in the glass and colorful bumper sticker proclaiming the latest, greatest slogans. It’s four in the morning and this could be considered “home” to the patrons. Through these characters, Jack captures the mood and atmosphere of the moment in time. The star of the show, the bartender, pours two shots. A rollerblading professional conducts business on his cell phone. An urban cowboy leans and another patron sleeps on the bar. A mysterious woman engages in conversation and a whimsical flower lady peddles her posies. A plumber hangs out and a kitchen worker catches up on the latest news. |
| Artist Jack Dowd’s sketch of “Last Call,” a sculpture of 13 life-sized figures interacting along a 22-foot mahogany bar. The artist sees this traditional New York tavern as common ground for men and women of diverse occupations and ethnic backgrounds. |
The self-funded project, estimated at $200,000, includes construction of the bar and scene; sculptures and bar props; decorations including a brass cash register, tiffany lamps, and a moose head; and atmosphere with smoke, music, pool table and video games. The exhibition opens at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida in June 2001, then travels to other interested museums throughout the country, hopefully ending the tour in, where else, New York City.
For more information about Jack and his work, contact the Gallery
on the Green at 802-457-4956. Jack will discuss his work at a reception at the Gallery on the Green in Woodstock on August 12 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Kirsten Gehlbach is a freelance writer living in Vermont.
