Jo Dounis - Mother of Reinvention
A mere four years back, one bold prospector ventured into fresh artistic territory, carved out a path and landscaped the terrain.
Since then her visual journey has brought this intrepid fine artist a colourful new identity and some well-deserved traction.
Jo Dounis at Allura's event The Big Show at Wignacourt Museum
But success was not a given - she made her own luck. As this burgeoning new talent takes her place at the table of emerging contemporary artists, Allura is proud to present new work by the force of nature that is Jo Dounis.
Click here to read Jo Dounis’ biography on the Allura Art website.
Jo Dounis
The early years
Née Bonello, Jo Dounis was born and raised in Malta, but moved to Greece for work at age 18 and later married a local. The many years she spent in Athens and later Naples gave her an international perspective which would define her world-view and find a voice in her art.
The Big Bang by Jo Dounis
When her marriage came to an end, Jo returned to Malta with her two children. When they became self-sufficient she left her managerial job to stretch her wings creatively, qualifying as an interior designer and working project to project.
The Big Bang by Jo Dounis
“My interest in design came from my architect dad. He used to draw and paint his projects in watercolour, then build wooden models of them and I was fascinated by this process. He was good at drawing and when he retired he took up painting as a hobby.”
Jo Dounis
Jo Dounis at work on her painting A Peacock's Pride
“There’s nothing better than a completely blank interior and being free to design it from scratch. This includes fine art - a site-specific commission can blend with an interior and elevate a space.”
Jo Dounis
A Peacock's Pride by Jo Dounis
Becoming a painter
In 2018, encouraged by her artist sister and sister in law, she applied the same strength and single-mindedness she’d drawn upon as a single mother to reinventing herself as a fine artist. Galvanised by a kinship with nature and a sensibility for its elements and forces, she set about birthing a different kind of creation: a body of work to express her metamorphosis.
A Peacock's Pride by Jo Dounis
Fuelled by the surety she had something to give, the developing painter embarked upon a period of industry and experimentation. In just four years Jo Dounis has made record progress, producing a portfolio on a scale that would ordinarily take double the time.
Jo Dounis at work during Allura's event The Trail Valletta
“I’m passionate and driven. I’m always changing, always growing - I want to achieve recognition and respect as an artist, at home and abroad, in the shortest time possible.”
Jo Dounis
Putting Down Roots by Jo Dounis
Current work
Although she has since begun to explore textured surfaces, the work presented here is defined as fluid art: an abstract painting technique which involves pouring or manipulating free-flowing liquid paints to produce organic results which do not look man-made.
Lux in Tenebris by Jo Dounis
“I didn’t know anything about fluid art, I just started experimenting. It was messy, but I allowed it to flow and loved what I was achieving. Somehow my soul is always revealed in my paintings - my emotions come out through my colour choices and the energy with which I manipulate the paint at that moment.”
Jo Dounis
Navitas Rubrum by Jo Dounis
Language and titles
In her youth Jo dreamed of becoming an interpreter, and the titles of her paintings reflect her love of languages, of which she speaks five. If English doesn’t do the job, she’ll turn to Greek, French, Italian or occasionally Maltese. Sometimes it can be a Latin word that most simply and succinctly articulates a big idea. According to Jo, it’s the painting which reveals the story, dictating its own name as the image emerges.
The Whisper by Jo Dounis
What’s coming up?
The year ahead will see Jo Dounis take part in a collective show at the Art by the Seaside gallery in March, a solo exhibition in November at Gemelli Art Gallery in Ta’ Qali and the Allura Open Art Studios Programme 2022 (to be announced).
Epikentro by Jo Dounis
Own a painting by Jo Dounis
To purchase one of her paintings visit Jo Dounis’ portfolio page on the Allura Art website. Artwork is available at studio prices and can be delivered or collected locally. Enquiries or expressions of interest can be directed to the Allura team through the Allura Art website.
Paintings by Jo Dounis exhibited at The Big Show
Jo Dounis with Allura’s Laura Swale - celebrating success at the Big Show
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About the Allura Art Collection
The Allura Art Collection is an evolving, curated collection of original paintings, by more than a dozen contemporary painters based in Malta and Gozo. The Allura Art website features pieces in a variety of genres, styles and sizes to suit home, office or commercial interiors. Original paintings also make beautiful and unique gifts, and the search by price page makes it easy to browse according to your budget.
The Allura Art collection is regularly updated with new artwork and new artists. To receive updates by email, join our mailing list.
About the Allura Art advisory service
Allura Art also offers an advisory service, which serves commercial and residential property owners, as well as architects and designers, either seeking direction, or looking to commission a bespoke series or site-specific piece.
Whether residential or commercial, Allura can source, commission or design individual pieces or curate a selection tailored to an interior design scheme.
Allura also welcomes professional relationships with architects and designers as well as contact from other interested parties.
Allura Art deals only in genuine and authenticated originals which are sourced directly from reputable living painters. We offer original fine art at studio prices with secure online payment and safe shipping internationally or local delivery throughout Malta and Gozo. Visit the Allura Art website or find Allura on Facebook or Instagram at @allura_malta. Contact Allura at info@allura.mt or +356 99583389.
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