Olwen O'Herlihy Dowling

Artist Statement

I live in the Berkshire mountains and have been drawn to paint where I live, the plant life, and the world surrounding all the rivers and lakes in these beautiful mountains. I also have been influenced by the use and techniques of Japanese watercolor paintings on rice paper. I have been delighted with the results. They are very soft and the color just saturates the paper. I have been painting over the years images from the West of Ireland. Particularly, the area called Connemara which is north of Galway. This area has vast turf bog land which is saturated with water and has a dramatic and stark beauty. At Smith College I graduated with a major in Studio Art and a minor in biology. This work has allowed me to explore and combine my interest in the natural world with my art.

Biography

Olwen was born in Dublin Ireland and emigrated with her family to the United States. She grew up in Malibu California. Her primary inspirations in art are Mary Cassatt, Vermeer, and Winslow Homer. Olwen has paints images in oil and watercolor of the West of Ireland, as well as, North Chester where she lives in the Berkshire mountains. Olwen is also a printmaker in Intaglio and is a Member of the Zea Mays Printmaking Studio.

Olwen's paintings are in Private Collections in the United States and Europe. In recent years, she has exhibited at The James Joyce Gallery and The Hallward Gallery in Dublin, Ireland; Smith College Alumnae Gallery, Hosmer Gallery Northampton MA ; The Watkins Gallery Northampton MA; Olwen's intaglio artwork is represented by the Zea Mays Flat File Project and her recent print work has been represented in group shows at the APE Gallery in Northampton and The Ferrin Gallery Pittsfield, Massachusetts. At the Lenox Gallery Massachusetts Olwen received Honorable Mention in the Fem in Art Show. Olwen has also worked for over two decades in the professional theatre. She has designed scenery and backcloths for theatrical productions. For the past 20 years, Olwen has been producer, managing director, production manager and stage manager for large and small professional theatrical institutions, as well as, director of The Northampton Center for the Arts. She graduated as a Studio Art Major with a minor in Biology from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Olwen has also studied at the L'Ecole d'Art, Vallauris, France and the Sun Valley Arts Program in Hailey, Idaho. Olwen is currently represented by her own gallery in North Chester Massachusetts.

Education