The multiple gifts of artistic mastery held by Jacklyn Downing of Kutztown make her uniquely able to defy easy description. Her artwork involves every technique and process the creative spirit deems necessary, and her visual/tactile expressions — paintings, stitchings, collage works — yield extraordinary reactions from art lovers.
Her fanciful aprons, many of them a direct homage to women and women’s work, can jolt viewers into brand-new perceptions of themselves, where previously they had thought of aprons only as discarded relics. Her exuberant outbursts of reds and golds, purples and blues in recent paintings cause sleeping emotions to warm and burn in the heart, or else to bubble up coolly to the surface as though splash-baptized in clear water. In short, Downing creates a profound intimacy between herself and those persons lucky enough to see and find themselves in her interior-exterior world.
Working in Layers: Affection & Other Paintings
In Affection and other recent paintings, Downing explains, “I’ve been working in acrylics and then also incorporating some other surprises...” She points to various shimmering areas, continuing, “Like these powdered glitters. I like having some areas that are matte and some that are glossy, and I also think the unbleached canvas is such a beautiful thing that I like to leave spots where that shows through. And this is probably the textile artist’s background coming through, where I like the fabric to show.”
As for process, Downing explains, “So, I have been working in layers and different viscosity, and it creates sort of a collage effect with the paint — it is intense and fun. It’s great. I have to be so particular in other areas, so it’s been delightful to switch to this medium where I’m able to be imperfect and gestural.”
The Aprons!
“These aprons were previously in a show at Clay on Main (Oley). You can see a video about them on my website.” The series became known as Converting the Mundane to the Sacred in Women’s Work. According to Downing, “My inspiration was the warrior goddess Durga, as well as what I had read, stating that the most common professions for women have not changed much since the 1950s. My goal — rather than be frustrated or angry — was to celebrate the women’s work and that we do it well.”
The Healing Apron was born from a quilt that was falling apart. “It was one that I found; I like using vintage textiles and ‘found’ pieces, and I wanted this to be a comment on women as healers.” Two Japanese concepts emerge in the gold on this piece: “I was using the kintsugi method and wabi-sabi in appreciating the quilt’s flaws.”
Robin’s Nest & Flower Fairies
From her nature series, Robin’s Nest is hand-stitched with sewing-needle thread: “I really wanted a nice variation of color and a little bit of sheen, and I crocheted the little worm in his mouth — which took much longer than it should have,” she laughs. “I made the nest from the bottom of the piece, much like a robin would do when making her own nest.”
In Flower Fairies, she says, “My inner child had a fun time with these two pieces as I layered them.”
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Interior design, too. Downing has an interior design business. She’s well versed in everything from draping to feng shui and is a certified crystal healer.
Shopping source. She loves shopping at Wooden Bridge Dry Goods, a Mennonite store off the beaten path in Kutztown.
