The Cloud Factory - On the Road

October 27, 2023Jenny Dowd

This summer, thanks to a program with Jackson Hole Public Art, The Cloud Factory made a return to Wyoming. (Click here to catch up on the history of The Cloud Factory)

In late July Sam and I made the long trek from NW Arkansas to NW Wyoming.

As soon as we arrived in Jackson we met up with friends and got to work making clouds in a park. I brought some clouds along with me, and we were well stocked with clouds made by the summer interns at JH Public Art, but we didn’t know how many would be needed. We used paper and fabric, embellishing with drawings and stitching, and either made them hang on a string or soar from a stick!

(To see how to make clouds visit the Get Involved page on the Cloud Factory website)

JH Public Art found a refrigerator box and I spent an afternoon making it into a Portable Dispensing Unit. After cutting the openings for the coin and the clouds to be dispensed from, I added instructions (insert coin, get cloud) and decorated the box with clouds.

How does the Portable Dispensing Unit work? The unit is too small to produce clouds, so we stock it with clouds that have been made offsite. The Unit only works with official Cloud Factory coins which we hand out freely. With the coin, the option is Cloud on a Stick or Cloud on a String… insert coin, get cloud! (See this previous post for more behind the scenes info)

With the help of JH Public Art Interns (Cloud Engineers) we popped up and dispensed clouds at 2 locations on August 2nd. In the morning we were on the Glenwood boardwalk between D.O.G and Penny Lane. Our audience was pretty skeptical, it was a dreary rainy day and most people just wanted some coffee. Even so, we convinced several people to take our free coins and choose a cloud on a stick or cloud on a string. Many a mood was brightened and the smiles and laughs made it all worth it.

After a few hours we folded up the Portable Dispensing Unit and moved it to the Center for the Arts for the Wednesday evening People’s Market. Some people remembered the Portable Dispensing Unit from the summer of 2021 when it briefly popped up on the boardwalk and some remembered the giant Cloud Factory from the lawn of the Center for the Arts in 2020. It was a long day of dispensing clouds but it was full of laughter and cloud factory sound effects.

With the help of my fearless Cloud Engineers, we dispensed over 300 clouds to the surprised people who encountered us!

Visit The Cloud Factory website to view the dreamy video that captured the magic of the day, made by cinematographer Blake Ciulla

The Cloud Factory

Until next time!

categories Community Projects, Art Exhibitions
tags The Cloud Factory, cardboard sculpture, Public Art, jh public art

Tiny Food

February 23, 2023Jenny Dowd

Tiny Food!

What is cuter and more mouth watering?

I do not know.

When the Fayetteville Public Library Innovation Lab asked me to teach an air dry clay workshop earlier this month I could not stop thinking about making tiny foods. (If you live in or near Fayetteville, be sure to check out the events at the library - the workshops are free!)

It’s been awhile since I have used air dry clay, but I remembered that working with Fimo is fun. Plus it comes in lots of bright colors and has a long working time.

I spent a couple of afternoons at the kitchen table, giggling while I made some of my favorite foods. Making waffles might have been my favorite, I was pretty excited when I realized a match stick would be perfect for making the square waffle-spots. Unfortunately, the experience was not all giggles. I managed to burn / melt the first batch in the toaster oven (probably not the best for even and exact heat.) I was so sad that I didn’t take a photo, so you’ll just have to imagine a bunch of sad-burnt-melted tiny food.

During the 2-hour workshop my students made the coolest tiny foods! I brought boxes for everyone to transport their foods home in, so those got decorated as well. S’mores, sushi, pies, cakes, popcorn, pizzas, cakes, noodles… oh we had a great time and were all rather hungry when we left!

categories Community Projects, Education, New Ideas, Sculpture, Workshops & Classes
tags tiny clay food, polymer clay, fimo clay food, fayetteville public library art workshop, jenny dowd sculpture

The Cake Stand Biennale

April 02, 2022Jenny Dowd

My cake and cupcake stands made their NW Arkansas debut in the sweetest, coolest event ever - The Cake Stand Biennale! (Check out an article here from the Fayetteville Flyer)

This Fayetteville exhibition put out a call for entries - for artwork to be displayed on cake stands - I missed the call and deadline, but contacted them anyway because I thought it was such a neat idea. They were looking for a few more cake stands to display artwork on, and it just happened that I had several small stands just sitting around cake-less.

I love making cake stands because they are specific, interesting, intricate objects with plenty of decorating options (plus a little silly). And of course, cake stands mean there might be cake or a sweet treat around, but I also love the idea that these stands can elevate any object and make it just that much more special. I really love the idea of cake stands as tiny galleries, what a perfect use when not being used for cake!

This event and exhibition is super short, it started with a ceremonial cake cutting (with my cupcake stand proudly holding up a teeny cupcake!) on the Fayetteville town square Friday late morning. We walked to a few locations with cake stand art before heading back to the studio to work…

Experience Fayetteville on the town square is a host location that had two of my small cake stands - each displayed prints by Jordian Molloy Gillen from Northern Ireland

(Left to right)

We found a piece by Jennifer Diaz at Cheap Thrills Vintage and another by Amberly Schaffer at Block Street Records. A beautiful paper cake by Megan Smith is in the bakery section at Ozark Natural Foods, and Swoon Juice Bar featured a slice-o-pie by Olivia Gallenberger.

(Left to Right)

Several pieces were at the Fayetteville Public Library, three little embroidered hoops by Cooper & Co Goods were at Xuma Kitchens and Likewise Community features a photograph by Kweku Kranpah on my little cupcake stand.

And that’s just a tiny crumb of the cake! I can’t wait for the next one…

Curator’s statement:

The Cake Stand Biennale is a city-wide art exhibition in Fayetteville, AR that celebrates the idea that art can be anything and art can live anywhere! The Biennale will take place over two days (April 1-2, 2022), with 32 local businesses and Fayetteville landmarks as cake stand host locations. The cake stand galleries will feature the work of over 50 artists from around the world. From paper snack sculptures, to traditional functional ceramics, to literal cakes, we’ve got work representing just about every art medium anyone could imagine outside of our cake stand galleries!

For more images and information, follow The Cake Stand Biennale on Instagram: @The_Cake_Stand_Biennale

categories Art Exhibitions, Community Projects, Collaboration
tags The Cake Stand Biennale, nw arkansas, nw arkansas art, fayetteville ar, cake stands, cup cake stands, cake stand gallery

An Easter Egg Hunt

April 02, 2021Jenny Dowd

This weekend a very special Easter Egg Hunt is happening at R Park hosted by the Jackson Hole Land Trust.

Visit R Park between April 2nd - 5th and you will find art installations created by 4 local artists. Within each a letter has been hidden and will spell out a word that unlocks a trunk full of Easter Eggs.

I’m super excited to be part of this project, and while my art is not specifically egg themed, you will still have to hunt for it.

I started out making several small elements: unfired porcelain mushrooms, tiny flowers, plus strands of fabric circles strung with buttons. My vague idea before installation day was mostly formed by the shadows cast on the white on white snowy landscape.

Installation day was a beautiful clear yet cold day, I tucked mushrooms and tiny flowers into the leaves, snow, and dirt below a grove of trees.

After spending a lot of time walking around and looking at this spot, strands of fabric were hung in an arch over the grove of mushrooms. Laying on the warm ground and looking up was the best view! The fabric seemed to mimic the fluffy clouds above.

This was hard to photograph, so if you are in the area I hope you stop by to find all the details.

Happy spring!

I’m sure we will have many more chilly days in Wyoming over the next few months, but spring is finally here!

categories Community Projects, Process, Projects, public art, Sculpture
tags Rendezvous Park, jackson hole land trust, public art, temporary art, tiny sculpture, outdoor art, installation

FoundSpace 2020: A Very Shaky Translation

October 14, 2020Jenny Dowd

I have been excited to share this project, but my excitement was delayed by a series of unfortunate events.

Earlier this summer, Matt Daly and I were invited by the JH Land Trust and JH Public Art to create a FoundSpace experience along the Wildflower Trail in Jackson. We have collaborated on projects for FoundSpace in the past (read about them here: 2019 & 2018 & 2017) and were excited to engage this popular hiking trail in town. FoundSpace is a yearly program that commissions artists to interpret conservation spaces, and I have enjoyed adding a different view to these places.

Matt and I decided to create a story about the inhabitants of this area, the story would be illustrated with words on one side and images on the other, each from the perspective of the being - animal, plant, or other. The physical inspiration came from the aspens along the trail, how their leaves shake and flutter in the wind. We also felt that we were interpreting what these creatures would be saying, so the translation might be a bit shaky.

I collected old signs to repurpose and Matt wrote poems about 12 different creatures or objects that can be found in this area. I then told the story through images, trying to keep it simple.

I hate to pick a favorite, but I think that the Shaky Translation of the aspens might be my favorite. It makes me laugh every time. I tried to reflect the conversation between aspens in my drawing through dots around the roots. They are a fascinating organism and I imagine a little gossipy, as reflected in Matt’s poem: You won’t believe what I heard. You won’t believe what I heard. You won’t believe what I heard…

Some of the Shaky Translations are in English, some in Spanish, and some a mix of the two. We hoped that the image could tell some of the story, and that maybe it was just fine to only get part of the Shaky Translation if you only speak one of those languages (like me.)

Cicada

All that time

under the ground

and now this.

This! What’s not

to buzz & buzz about!

Cloud

The way to go is by and large __________

pretty easy __________ just find

your rhythm __________ your habits

of change and drift along __________

It’ll get tough don’t worry don’t worry

__________ when you hit or the air

you’re riding hits something hard, like

__________ __________ a mountain

First Frost

Let’s wait. We wait.

For so long we let

the soft leaves speak softly

to the soft leaves,

the soft petals to the soft

wings. But now let’s come in

and make all the voices

crackle and also crackle.

Osprey

There it is There It

Is Hover And

Now Now Nownownow

Feet First Through

Water And Into

Longhorn Beetle

Whoa! How

do I stop?

I guess I’m headed

straight for that

that, so that’s what

I’ll hit and hope

I can cling

to that thing

I can’t help but

whoa hit.

And that’s it. Just over a week ago we found that 9 out of 12 Shaky Translations were removed from the trail. I don’t even have images of all of them. The day we found them missing was the day I was planned to photograph the work. I completely realize that I should have photographed them as soon as they were installed. But, really?? This temporary art was supposed to be in place until October 30.

The theft really hurt. I like to think that I’m prepared for anything to happen to my art and that I have no control once it leaves my studio. But I wasn’t prepared.

Check out the article in the JH News & Guide about the project, here, it is a wonderful story about our inspiration and process.

And we would like to invite you to make your own Shaky Translation. The image in the video is of Arrowleaf Balsamroot (which I call Field Daisies) the poem and image was inspired by the crab spider which likes to sun itself on the flower. (Painting by me, words by Matt Daly, and music by Frank Daly.)

Hey there little spider with your

outstretched little arms. I can’t do much

to hold you like you look like you want

to be held. I can however hold the sun

so firmly to the leaf you climb

to warm yourself that the face

of the sun becomes many faces, becomes

my many faces like arms to warm you

Did you see and happen to photograph any of the others? I would seriously appreciate any photos for my records, please email them to hello@dowdhousestudios.com

Here are the rest of Matt’s poems, without images of the Shaky Translations:

Moose

Mama? Yes. Mama? Yes.

Mama? Come here. Mama? Yes.

Mama? I’m here. I see you. I’m here

Mama? I’m going. Mama? Follow.

Mama? Lie down. Lie down? Here.

Here? Here. Mama? Here.

Cutthroat Trout

Eddy to riffle and upstream to the cutbank

shimmer to shadow shadow to shimmer sip the surface

emerging emergers the strange taste of air

all the sharp things that fall from up there

Mountain Lion

Soon enough the snow will fall

and all but prey will go

away. Soon enough, I’ll trade this

quiet slinking (which is only a moving

form of hiding) for another slinking

the kind that tastes like deer.

Kingfisher

Here I come over clear water up to a perch.

There I go down the stream again. I zigzag down-

stream to perch. There I stare into a quiet place in clear

water. Here I cackle and flap but this time back upstream.

Flat Creek

run along along way

to run along

a tumbled

down run of tumbled

along stones

alone and because

you run

along not at all alone

categories Community Projects, Collaboration, Illustration
tags found space, FoundSpace, Jackson Hole Public Art, JH Land Trust, shaky translations, poetry, drawing

A Gingerbread Challenge

December 05, 2019Jenny Dowd

Sam and I accepted the challenge of making a gingerbread house for an exhibition and competition. The challenge includes 6 teams and the houses will be on display at the Old Wilson Schoolhouse during this Saturday’s Holiday Show and Sale from 10am - 3pm.

Sam immediately wanted a train station, and I just couldn’t visualize anything until we started. So, as usual, a week before the due date we started to plan. Sam had the idea to include some small businesses and that was where I got excited. And also made things more complicated.

First we drew out the plan. The rules stated that the house could not be any wider than 18” (good thing too - this could have taken over our house.) We made patterns for each building and started dreaming up what business our town should have next to the train station.

I have not worked with gingerbread in a long time, and when the recipe said “knead” I looked down and saw that I was actually wedging the dough. (That was the first and last time I compared this material to clay.) Before each tray went into the oven I photographed the shapes with their pattern so I could keep the buildings straight.

I tried to get fancy with melted candy in some windows. And found that some of the gingerbreads needed to be sanded to fit. At the point of sticking everything together with royal icing I was actually really glad not to be working with clay.

Sam made fondant animals for the small farm yard and our table filled up with sweets. I didn’t really think it was possible but I am so sick of the smell of sugar. When it came to really assembling the village things got too sticky to photograph. So here’s how it turned out:

Welcome to Flufftown (the locals pronounce it Fluf-ton)

Flufftown has a train that regularly delivers goods to the shops: The Pillows & Fluff Store is the proud founder of this town and does a brisk business alongside The Goldfish Monger, The Barber & Mustache Shop, and The 24-Hour Shoelace Store. If you head around to the back of the shops you can enjoy pizza or watermelon at the Slice Shops.

The train cars are full of fluff, pillows, shoelaces, and mustaches as these shops are stocking up for the holidays.

We planned to have a farmhouse and barn, but ran out of room. So if you need a barn we’ve got one.

In case you wondered, this is what happens when artists design a town. There were other things we ran out of room for - the Pillows & Fluff Store was supposed to have a conveyer belt taking fluff from the train to the stack on top. And a fence to keep the animals from getting too close to the train, but since they are all calmly laying down we figured they weren’t too daring.

We found a lot of fun candy at Mursell’s Sweet Shop, including cotton candy!

So if you are in the area, stop by the Old Wilson Schoolhouse on December 7th from 10am - 3pm to check these houses out in person!

categories Process, Problem Solving, New Ideas, Community Projects
tags gingerbread house, gingerbread village

Flower: Factory & Cart

September 14, 2019Jenny Dowd

I am working on a mound of pottery orders… but first, flowery public art events!

Last week I was invited to participate in a Town Square Takeover. This artist space was created by Wildly Creative Jackson Hole and the Center for the Arts. 6 artists showcased what they do during 3 afternoon takeovers on the Jackson Town Square. Read all about it here.

My takeover was on Friday September 6th and I invited people to participate in a Flower Factory.

I made lots of signs out of cardboard, and collected some safety equipment, since safety is a big concern in the Flower Factory.

7 stations explained how to make a crepe paper flower - the type of flower the factory was producing on that particular day. Many participants came by and safely made flowers, I’m happy to say there were no incidents of lost time and flowers were produced and distributed to nearby people.

Another type of flower factory is currently in the works - I am participating in PARKing Day on September 20th. For this event, artists and designers are invited to take over a parking space in Jackson (and all over the country!) from 10am - 6pm.

I am creating a flower cart that will be parked in my space where flowers and bundles of flowers will be distributed (free!) to all who would like them. So, to get ready for this event, I am making a flower cart out of cardboard. This project is currently taking over the clay studio… and Merlin is not a happy studio cat.

The start was pretty simple, then the wheels and handles got a bit tricky…

Each wheel does spin on an axle, but I just couldn’t figure out how to make this happen from the start in my small space. So each wheel is fitted on a short tube that allows it to spin and also provides a place to attach. To connect the wheel, I made a thick triangular shaped piece that the tube could fit through and is also connected to the base of the cart. Once the triangular shape was connected, the wheels spun but needed a little more support. A longer tube / axle was used to connect the wheels. Now the cart can move on the wheels… but I doubt it would hold up for much of a journey!

The handles also posed a small challenge. I didn’t want them to be flimsy and also wanted to avoid getting things hung up on them before the event. Deciding to make them somewhat detachable, shorter inserts were attached to the cart, allowing longer handles to slide over. It’s not a big difference, but it does take up a tiny bit less room in my space and offers more strength to the handle. This should make transporting the cart a little easier next week.

Tons of measuring yet still rather wonky. The inside is fitted with pieces of styrofoam that will hold the flowers. So hopefully the rest is the fun part… signs, an awning, and lots and lots of tiny flowers…

Visit me on September 20th, 10am - 6pm in front of Hand Fire Pizza on Cache Street in Jackson. And I’ll publish an update next weekend showing how the cart got finished!

categories Art Exhibitions, Community Projects, Process, Studio
tags flower factory, wildly creative jackson hole, town square takeover jackson hole, public art, jh public art, PARKing Day

FoundSpace

June 19, 2019Jenny Dowd

For the past few years I’ve been a participant in FoundSpace - a public art initiative co-sponsored by the JH Land Trust and JH Public Art. This project invites artists to interact and activate public land, you can check out my projects from 2017 and 2018, each a collaboration with writer Matt Daly.

I thought it would be fun to check in on what is happening this year for FoundSpace at Rendezvous Park (or R Park)

After citing strange noises and sightings in the park, the staff of R Park brought in Observator R. Park to investigate.

Not much is known about Observator, however, their passion for discovery and documentation is apparent. Observator seems perfect for the job of discovering the secret lives of the imaginary creatures that call R Park home.

In order to aid in the task of documentation, Observator has set up a field station at the entrance to the park and is inviting visitors to help discover and catalogue the mysterious creatures inhabiting the park.

From the sounds of it, this field station will be at R Park all summer - so if you are in the area, check it out. Be sure to take a look at the field guide, located in one of the lockers, as it contains all notes and descriptions of creatures found so far in the park.

This Friday the 21st is a Solstice Celebration at R Park, this event will be from 5-8pm. I’m sure Observator will be eager to share some of their discoveries and will also recruit explorers to help throughout what looks to be a busy summer.

Observator R. Park seems to be easier to find online than in person - though, they are often at R Park studying specimens - the discoveries can be followed on Facebook and Instagram at @rparkobservator and also YouTube

Or send Observator an email with questions or information / images / video of your own discoveries in R Park: rparkobservator@gmail.com

Here are short videos of 2 creatures that have been found so far, I grabbed these off Observator’s YouTube channel - since they are busy out in the field I thought I’d help get the word out:

categories Community Projects
tags foundspace, JH Land Trust, Jackson Hole Public Art, observator r park, r park, Rendezvous Park, jackson hole

Jackson Hole History

January 20, 2019Jenny Dowd

Recently the Jackson Hole Historical Museum asked me to create an illustration that would embellish the text accompanying their new exhibition: the History Co-op Corner. This exhibition asks the community as well as visitors to share their Jackson Hole History.

The final illustration is 11 feet long, definitely quite a bit larger than I’m used to working!

This was a challenge to wrap my mind around. A small and very, very rough draft helped me visualize the scale and subject. The drawings needed to add to the text, yet not distract.

I started by thinking in terms of seasons and easily recognizable land formations - from left to right: Winter / Saddle Butte, Spring / Tetons, Summer / Sleeping Indian Mountain, Fall / Snow King.

Since history is past, present, and future I knew it would be important to mix together the contemporary and historical nature of Jackson Hole. After making a list of landmarks, activities, and a few interesting historical objects I translated each into a small cut-out drawing. This gave me something to move around under the text so I could play with relationship and readability.

The scale was a challenge, but since the final image would be scanned, printed onto vinyl and then applied to the wall - I did not need to make the drawing 11 feet long. Instead I made the drawing in 4 sections, at half the size of the final product. The text was printed out and pieced together - so I would roughly know how much space was available around it for the drawings.

After moving around my little cut out drawings I was able to edit and figure out which images made the cut. This was tough - there are so many recognizable images that can be used to illustrate Jackson, plus many activities that people travel to this area for. In the end I had to choose images that would read well from a distance and that could be drawn in silhouette.

I really love this photograph of Jackson’s original school bus, it was one of the first images that I knew needed to be included. It may not be easily recognized as a school bus, however it doesn’t take much research at the Historical Museum to find out what it is!

A few challenges included keeping the line of images from becoming static - I wanted some of the images to break into the space around the letters. Also, there were plenty of items that I had to look up for reference, such as the bus used in Yellowstone National Park.

This is the final drawing with lettering laid over top. And the final version in the museum…

This exhibition invites interaction by asking the community and visitors to participate through answering the question “What is your Jackson Hole History?”

Local Elementary students were asked to draw and write about their Jackson histories and High School students researched and shared an oral history of their families. Postcards are also available for visitors and locals to include their histories in this evolving exhibition.

There is much to explore in this exhibition and it is best experienced in person. I’m honored to have my artwork be part of this display! If you are in the area be sure to stop by and participate.

Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum

225 N Cache, Jackson, WY

Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm

categories Community Projects, Illustration, Problem Solving
tags Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, Museum display, Ink drawing, illustration

Illustration project sneak peek

September 21, 2018Jenny Dowd

I’m excited to share a peek into a project that has been in the works since late last year…

In collaboration with the Culinary Arts Program at Central Wyoming College, located at the Jackson campus and illustrators Jocelyn Slack and Cal Brackin, I’ve been working on a cookbook! The three of us have been illustrating a collection of recipes developed by the culinary arts students.

The end result will be a published cookbook and an exhibition with some of the original illustrations as well as actual recipes made and served during the opening by the students.

Wrapping my head around how to create illustrations for the recipes was a challenge. It didn’t take long to realize that composing the image right there on a piece of paper was causing me to stall out and I would be more confident if working dimensionally.

I thought about the story each recipe told and how to best give visual instructions, then drew the components. After cutting the pieces out I was able to play with the composition and relationship of each object. Some images came from memory, while some- the 1950’s pink convertible- needed a source image.

After the initial composition on scrap paper, I moved onto ink on drawing paper. The next part seemed the most scary- I don’t usually use much color and rarely use watercolor. I had a few drawing drafts that didn’t work out, so they became confidence building practice pieces.

Pictured here- how to chop lemongrass for Thai Masala Squash Soup, Taco Soup, and Asparagus Soup with Cream- for that one I imagined a budding romance between asparagus and a pitcher of cream. (I got sick of my brushes rolling around on the table and making a wet mess, so I made a quick brush holder with foam and push pins. I made a sea monster brush holder out of clay earlier in the summer, but haven’t glazed it yet.)

For some recipes, I picked out a few key ingredients, like a shallot and mint for the Cucumber Mint Salad. Some are more visual how-to’s, like the middle illustration- Winter Vegetable Hash (Scrub veggies before peeling, do not rinse after!) and some are about telling a story- Thai Coconut Rice- gateway to the taste of another country.

The Cuban Chicken recipe was influenced by the grandmother of the chef… so I couldn’t resist a 1950’s pink caddy being driven by a chicken on a mission! The Singapore Fruit Salad made me think of a market full of exotic fruits which led to fruit eager to travel the world. Mixing pasta dough like a volcano of flour filled with eggs… well, that’s my visual definition anyway.

Some recipes got more color than others, I still love the simple black line of pen on paper, so I highlighted that in a few of these drawings. Especially the Meatball Sub- the meatballs are waiting for the toast to be perfect.

I still have several more illustrations to finish, so stay tuned for an update! And if you are in Jackson, be sure to stop by the Theater Gallery in the Center for the Arts to see the exhibition. The work will be on display from October 20 - November 5. The opening reception will be November 2 from 5:30 - 7:30pm. And the cookbook will be available at that time too!

categories Art Exhibitions, Community Projects, Problem Solving
tags Cookbook Illustrations, Central Wyoming College, illustration, Jocelyn Slack, Cal Brackin, CWC Culinary Arts Program Jackson WY, Storytellig, storytelling

Stickum Up!

September 08, 2018Jenny Dowd

Friday evening the alleys of Jackson got plastered with large prints of local art! Thanks to JH Public Art these temporary murals were installed during the Palates & Palettes art walk and will remain on view through Fall Arts Festival.

After a little wheat paste practice we hit the streets...

In the alley behind Eddie Bauer and Pinky G's Pizza you will find "Peaceful Inputs" by Sophie Stoessel and "Thrilling Wyoming" by Walt Gerald.

My tiny drawing, "Some things should not have wheels" is now huge in comparison to the original, and is right across from Sophie & Walt. And just down the alley behind Trio: "Holding Steady" by Katy Fox.

There are 7 more! So if you are in Jackson walk around and find them all, they will be up until the 22nd. One is even going to be a permanent painted mural, the artist will be starting on the 17th.

I'm so excited to see my little characters suddenly large! Stop by my booth at the Takin' it to the Streets Fair tomorrow to see the original- it's about 4 inches x 10 inches.

categories Community Projects, Art Exhibitions
tags JH Public Art, Jenny Dowd, Walt Gerald, Katy Fox, Street Art, Jackson Hole, Stickum Up

FoundSpace: Update

July 22, 2018Jenny Dowd

I'm used to projects offering more challenges than initially expected. Most things are not as simple as they seem, and making working thaumatropes proved that statement true over and over this summer.

Despite, or perhaps because of the difficulties, these are the projects I love the most. In frustration I'll leave my studio to take a walk, returning with another idea that I'm eager to try. I'll turn a difficult project around in my mind while working on something that makes sense- then when that project turns on me I'll go back to the other one.

To read about the first installment check out this past post and to read about the whole FoundSpace project check out this past post.

Thanks to installation by Matt Daly all 12 thaumatropes are now on display until the middle of August at Emily Steven's Park!

I got really serious about making the thaumatropes sturdy and functional, so for this final version each disk spins on an axle. The wood disks are glued and screwed together (learned from another early mistake.) The screws are counter-sunk on the last 4 disks so the drawing surface is smoother.

Each illustration was completed on paper, then transferred to the wooden disk using carbon paper and drawn/painted with acrylic paint pens. The illustration for the mottled sculpin was made on paper as well as vellum so I could check the overlap. When the disk spins both images are visible at once- for this image the mottled sculpin needed to look like he was under water- or more precisely, in a riffle.

After the logistics of creating spinning thaumatropes was figured out, the illustrations came easily as accompaniments to Matt's poems.

One of the coolest things about working with Matt on this project was learning about these little critters. When I looked up images of the Bushy-tailed Woodrat I also learned that they will drop whatever edible thing they are carrying back to their stash in favor of a shiny object- like a spoon or coins!

I had no idea what a Mottled Sculpin was- and that they are tiny- end of a finger tiny!

Plus the humor- while it may seem funny and light-hearted to authropormophise animals, it might also be serious. They might actually find each other obnoxious.

And cicadas might actually be pretty excited to graduate from nymph-hood!

The best part is that this project has made me look differently at this area I've lived in for over 10 years... there is always something to learn and something to see.

Stop by Emily Steven's Park to see all 12 before August 20th!

categories Community Projects, Projects, Sculpture, Problem Solving
tags foundspace, Jackson Hole, jackson hole public art, jackson hole land trust, thaumatropes, minifauna, illustration, Poetry

FoundSpace 2018: Part 2

June 09, 2018Jenny Dowd

This week FoundSpace 2018 was unveiled at Emily Steven's Park! This art will be on display until August 8, and there is plenty to explore. I'm one of 5 artists invited by the JH Land Trust and JH Public art to create a temporary installation that will bring awareness to our public wild spaces. At FoundSpace, the challenge is to create something that will help visitors see the space in a different way- and hopefully discover something new every time they visit.

This awesome map, designed by Cal Brackin, was screen printed onto bandanas by Walt Gerald.

FoundPrints by the Sun

Brittany Hill took inspiration from the organic material found in this location to create naturally dyed flags. Each represent a species that has been transferred to the fabric through printmaking processes that rely on the sun.

Looksees

Bronwyn Minton invites viewers to come over and take a looksee. Her large sculptures are hard to resist and each offer spyglass holes- look through and you might just see something.

The Small Village of Treepoli

Bland Hoke enticed the small occupants of Treeopoli to construct a tiny village of hanging houses and rope ladders. Look closely, many details are hidden within the village.

Chronicles of the Introverted Minifauna

Matt Daly and I have created thaumatropes (check out last week's blog post for details) that tell stories about the little critters that are easily overlooked. So far we have installed 4... but keep an eye out, we will be installing more around the park over the next month!

categories Community Projects, New Ideas, Projects, Sculpture
tags FoundSpace, JH Land Trust, JH Public Art, Bronwyn Minton, Bland Hoke, brittany hill, Matt Daly, Public art, thaumatropes

FoundSpace 2018: Part 1

June 04, 2018Jenny Dowd

FoundSpace 2018 is ready to be explored!

Now in its Fourth year, this project is a collaboration between the JH Land Trust and JH Public Art. FoundSpace offers the opportunity and challenge of interpreting conserved public land in creative and interactive ways. This year FoundSpace is at Emily Steven's Park just outside of Wilson, WY.

Last year I collaborated with Matt Daly, (see our project here) we had such fun that we decided to work together again. Inspired by the optical combination of words and images in thaumatropes, Matt wrote 12 short poems, one for each month, that highlight the overlooked (and often introverted) mini-fauna found in this area.

I illustrated each poem, which has been challenging since the magic behind the thaumatrope is 3 drawings- one on each side, plus a combination of the 2 when the disk spins.

The image had to be clear enough to read, yet the multiple parts allowed for slightly more information. I was so excited about telling the stories that I missed an important step- the image has to be perfectly registered on each side so that when the disk flips the image is not blurry. Oops.

I drew the image on paper, transferred it to plywood with carbon paper, then registered the image using holes in the side of the disk. (As seen by the highly technical use of drill bits...)

Each little critter has such personality and imagery created through Matt's words, it was easy to imagine the story and what I wanted to visualize. I am so excited to be part of this project and to work in collaboration with another creative who sees the world from a different angle. I'm already learning a lot about some of the mini-fauna that I was not aware of!

The thaumatrope is made cut disks from plywood in a diameter to fit discarded bike wheels that Matt scavenged. I drew and painted on the primed surfaces and made cranks so they can be turned by hand. The stands were made by Matt from discarded fence posts, and all stand at different heights.

We've started with 4 thaumatropes, and will install all 12 within the next month. So stay tuned for updates, and if Emily Steven's Park is part of your normal routine be sure to check back periodically.

There are 3 more artists who have installed artwork in the park: Bronwyn Minton, Bland Hoke, and Brittany Hill. Check back for my post on Saturday June 9th for a full update!

And if you are in the area, stop by Thursday June 7th from 5-8pm for the opening event. (You'll be able to make your very own small thaumatrope!)

categories Community Projects, Art Exhibitions, New Ideas, Problem Solving
tags FoundSpace, Jackson Hole Land Trust, Jackson Hole Public Art, Outdoor art, thaumatropes, illustration, poetry, Matt Daly, Jenny Dowd

Whodunnit?

March 10, 2018Jenny Dowd

Whodunnit? is my favorite event & fundraiser at the Art Association, and it was last night! This yearly event is a celebration of tiny anonymous art. Around 200 artists create and donate 6x6 inch artworks that are signed on the back.

One reason I like this event so much is that I find the 6x6 inch format difficult. After my usual struggle, the final piece often marks the exploration of a new idea in my studio. The small canvas becomes a sketch for a new path or it helps me figure out a problem to work through an idea I've been mulling over.

I've made several pieces over the past years for this event, but haven't managed to photograph them all. Here's what I found...

2010

Tooth Fairy Notes

At this time I was trying out some new materials and working to make the canvas feel more like clay. I was also writing some funny little stories and haiku about the Tooth Fairy.

2015

Envy

I think this was the first time I made the "canvas" instead of using the provided canvas. But most importantly, this piece was the first time flowers or little mischevious vases showed up in my sculpture!

2016

Remember when?

I'm still mulling this idea over, of adding depth by combining drawing with sculpture. This was the piece that started me thinking about that idea.

2017

Books

This was a tiny version of a small piece I had made in 2016 for a book arts exhibition at the Laramie County Library. (See that piece Here.) I had lots of leftover little books and wanted to revisit the idea and keep the background open. I added the flowers because as much as I love having flowers around the house, they have to be put up on high shelves or else my cat knocks the vase over. So I'm often finding wilted flowers here and there.

2018

The flower stage

This time I wanted to make something that would change with different backgrounds (I only made one, but photographed it on a few different papers.) I've been thinking a lot about stages and invented settings. I've also recently discovered that I love working with cardboard and I like showing some of the "how" behind the craft.

I'm still excited about the ideas behind each of these pieces (and the ones I forgot to photograph) and am looking forward to seeing what these ideas lead to!

categories Art Exhibitions, Community Projects
tags Art Association of Jackson Hole, whodunnit, small sculpture, jenny dowd

The Art of Love 2017

October 14, 2017Jenny Dowd

The 2nd Annual Plate Auction, The Art of Love, was held this past Thursday evening. Art and community came together in a beautiful event and fundraiser for Jackson's Community Entry Services.

Sam made all of the ceramic plates and in all the time it took, I never managed to get a photo of him working!

The plates were distributed to 45 local artists who each donated their time and talent to decorate a plate.

Sam not only made all the plates, he also decorated one, his "Fish Bowl" is on the left, and my "Spiral" is on the right.

Throughout the evening plates were available by silent auction, while a select few were part of the live auction.

I enjoy the spirit of this event, and am happy to know that by doing what I do- I can help support this important community service!

categories Community Projects
tags sam dowd, community entry services jackson hole, art of love event, center for the arts jackson hole

FoundSpace 2017 - Part 2

June 10, 2017Jenny Dowd

It's here, FoundSpace 2017!

Invited by the JH Land Trust and JH Public Art I joined 4 other artists to create artwork designed to engage and enhance the pathway from the Wilson School to the Stillson lot. This busy pathway is a beautiful spot for walking and biking, enjoyed by dogs and their people, and even horses!

Matt Daly and I have been collaborating on a project that features lost objects and the stories behind their loss. Mailboxes became collection points for these objects and also added to the surrounding nostalgia. Living in a small mountain town means mail is not home delivered, so most of my days include a trip to the post office to check my PO box. Plus a mailbox in the middle of a field with a red flag up invites a look-see.

After months of thinking about this project and making plans our installation day finally arrived! Matt delivered the mailboxes to spots along the path where we attached them to fence pots and trees. With all the parts involved we were lucky to have an assistant, Brittany Hill helped immensely!

Each mailbox contains a kit for writing love notes to objects that have been lost- tags to tie onto found objects plus pencils and sharpeners. You will also find paper that can be used to make rubbings from the poems on the ceramic tiles. (Check out last week's post for details on how these were made.)

During the opening event Friday night we hung a collection of found objects (lost items as well as some natural found objects) in the JH Public Art Mobile Studio. We invited people to write poems to the objects and place them in the mailboxes so they can be found. It was such fun watching people interact with the mailboxes and to hear about what they found inside!

There is much to discover along the path...

Silent Fallen Tree: Ben Roth carved a tree into a chain and also a bench, a perfect spot to sit and contemplate.

Get-togethers have been carved by Bronwyn Minton and create places to find interesting objects both found and made. An invitation to play, perhaps they with gather different objects over the summer.

Willow Wheel by Bland Hoke is a kinetic sculpture woven from willow, while turning in the wind it makes a beautiful and subtle sound as it rustles and glides through the water. Interesting from any angle, however I should have crossed the creek to take a photo!

There is plenty of time to experience the artwork along the path, come back to interact, see what has been changed, find something new! The artwork will be on site until August 14.

categories Art Exhibitions, Community Projects
tags JH Land Trust, Jackson Hole Public Art, poetry, Matt Daly, Bland Hoke, Ben Roth, Bronwyn Minton, Jenny Dowd, Public Art, FoundSpace, outdoor art, sculpture, foundspace, found space

FoundSpace 2017 - Part 1

June 02, 2017Jenny Dowd

This year I am joining artists Matt Daly, Bland Hoke, Bronwyn Minton, and Ben Roth in the FoundSpace Project. This is the third year that the Jackson Hole Land Trust has partnered with Jackson Hole Public Art to bring art to conserved public land in a surprising and engaging way. I think of it as finding or rediscovering a place.

This year the project is taking place along the path between the Wilson Schoolhouse and the Stillson parking lot. This is truly a found space for me because before this project I had never been to this pathway!

Last year I participated as an assistant (check out the details here.) This year I have been collaborating with Matt Daly to create an interactive sculpture that highlights objects that have been lost (and perhaps found.)

Matt and I began this collaboration during a conversation about lost objects. The snow was just melting and we were noting the funny way lost objects are lovingly placed on a fence post or sign where they were found. We thought this geolocation and obvious hope for reunion was an interesting point for our FoundSpace project.

Matt wrote 12 stanzas to a Ghazal, a poem that can be read in any order. Each is part of a love note to an object that has been lost. I collected different voices by asking 12 people to write the stanzas on paper. I then carved each into a clay tile then stained and fired each.

This past Friday evening I participated in a Gather with families from the Doug Coombs Foundation. We hiked around a Land Trust property at the base of Munger Mountain looking for interesting found objects to incorporate into our installation.

So, how will it all come together?

Check back next week for an update, or come to the opening celebration on Friday June 9 from 5-8pm at the Hardeman Meadows. Food, music, art, and beautiful open spaces, plus you never know what you might find!

categories Art Exhibitions, Community Projects
tags FoundSpace, JH Land Trust, JH Public Art, Jenny Dowd, Matt Daly, Poetry, Porcelain, found space

Mini Maker Faire

May 19, 2017Jenny Dowd

It's time for the Jackson Hole Mini Maker Faire! If you are in town this weekend be sure to stop by the Teton Science School from 12 - 4pm on Saturday where Sam and I will be joining over 30 Makers.

Sam will be teaching basic welding skills, these photos are from last year's booth, check it out and make your own garden tool.

I will be offering the opportunity to squish, squash and form things with clay. Last year I taught basic hand-building techniques and participants contributed to a community still life.

There will be lots to learn, come by and be surprised!

categories Community Projects, Education
tags mini maker faire, jackson hole, sam dowd, jenny dowd

Update: Chalk & Poetry

April 22, 2017Jenny Dowd

Three weeks of sidewalk decorating went by pretty quick! Brittany Hill, my chalky partner in art, and I have been decorating the sidewalk and entrance to the Teton County Library in Jackson in anticipation of the visiting U.S. Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera.

(Catch up on the first blog post here)

Using a mixture of spray chalk and regular chalk, we added to our designs weekly plus enhanced areas that had faded or washed away in the rain. (Images above: week 1, week 2, week 3)

I added lines from the poem "Let Me Tell You What a Poem Brings" around the front walkway, re-working it each week as it washed away. Here you can see some of the process and evolution:

Read the rest of this poem and others by Juan Felipe Herrera here

We added blips and spots for interest and lines to connect.

Last night we both attended a talk by Juan Felipe Herrera at the Center for the Arts, it was the perfect ending to a fun and inspiring project.

categories Community Projects
tags poetry, chalk art, us poet laureate, juan felipe herrera, teton county library, brittany hill, jenny dowd, temporary art

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