Tim Dowling
Artist, illustrator and animation director Tim Dowling is in the Hot Seat this week. He is opening a gallery / art-studio / teaching space in St. John’s Estate on Saturday with an open invitation to all lovers of art to join in and see what he has planned for the community. There will be demonstrations of portrait painting and interactive activities for everyone to try. Tim is ready to share his passion and knowledge about the creative process with the island’s next crop of artists, young and old, expert and novice.
Born and raised in St. Maarten, Tim studied art and animation in Ireland and went on to a successful career creating children’s books and working in the animation studios of Disney, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. He has held showings of his paintings in Ireland, Russia and Italy. Out ’n About took an early tour of “Art House St. Maarten” last week and got to know this interesting and accomplished artist. The downstairs area serves as his personal gallery, showcasing his two distinct leanings: classic styles reminiscent of the masters juxtaposed with the bright colours and bold shapes of animation-style work. “I love both, I’ve studied both,” he said with a chuckle. “Some people say I have a split personality.”
Upstairs, the art classroom is inviting, bright and airy, yet cosy. A large table dominates with unique-looking wooden chairs all around. The chairs are another one of Tim’s projects, seating for his students, which he made from reclaimed wood. One would never know their source was discarded pallets and such, as they are proportionally balanced and gleam golden under layers of varnish.
Here we sat to discuss his plans for this new venture as well as his career, motivation and ambitions. He explained that he always loved art and used it as a youth as a form of escapism from worries or troubles. As a student at Milton Peters College in the 90s, he was already devoted to studying about the great artists, spending hours at Philipsburg Jubilee Library going through books about animators and illustrators. This interest grew into a passion that led to a career trajectory that took him to Art School in Ireland where he gained employment as an animation director for a children’s show. Later, he took a 3-D animation course in Denmark and became an animation mentor.
Not satisfied with this success, he published his children’s book, The Truth about Monsters. Originally self-published, and later picked up by a publisher in Germany, The Truth about Monsters is available at the Art House and would make a great holiday gift, especially signed by the author. Tim is currently writing two more children’s books and says through all his experience, he has learned that the most important part of anything done in publishing is the story. “If the story itself isn’t compelling, it doesn’t matter how good the artwork looks. What matters is the story.” He discussed how working for Disney or Cartoon Network was mostly on the job training. “Art School was good, and I learned a lot, but it’s funny to me now, they gave me several weeks to do a 30-second run, and when you are working in the business, they give you about four days to make a 30-second run.”
A normal day for Tim is all about his work. “I rise early,” he says, “have a coffee and begin my work.” A break comes for lunch and then it’s back at it until late in the day. “If I get stuck, I pace the floor. I look for inspiration in a book or a video, or play some music. If I get on a really good path, I’ll just work and work and work, and then fall straight into bed.”
With the opening of Art House St. Maarten, that routine will likely change a bit. Tim will be at the Art House gallery in St. John’s Estate from noon until 7:00pm on weekdays and on Saturdays from 9:00am until 5:30pm. The schedule for classes is set for weekday afternoons at 3:00-4:30 for children and 5:00-6:30 for teenagers. Adults can take classes on Thursdays at10:00-11:30am or at 7:00-8:30pm. Saturday classes are for children and teens and may incorporate some craft work such as papier-mâché, macramé or ceramics. Tim’s teaching style is all about constructive feedback and keeping the process fun. The exercises will bring out students’ creativity while subtly teaching the fundamental techniques of drawing and painting. Adults have the freedom to work on personal projects or have a project tailored to what they want to learn.
Want more info? Stop by and visit with Tim, call 522-4180, visit www.arthouseSXM.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Don’t miss the Art House SXM grand opening on November 11, from 11:00am until 3:00pm. St. John’s Estate Commercial Unit #5 on the west side of LB Scott Road.
