Untitled (Rose Cascade), c.1980s, by American abstract artist Don Bowman (b.1934), is a signed 36 × 26 in. oil on paper acquired in New York City and executed in his distinctive free-flow oil technique.
Untitled (Rose Cascade) is a graceful and sophisticated abstract oil on paper by Don Bowman, celebrated for his innovative free-flow technique that transforms transparent washes of color into rhythmic, organic forms. Soft layers of peach, lavender, sage, and burgundy rise and curl around a central cascading stem, creating a sense of upward movement and botanical elegance. Each translucent plane overlaps seamlessly, producing luminous tonal blending characteristic of Bowman’s most sought-after 1970s–80s works. Signed lower left and acquired in New York, this 36 × 26 inch vintage abstraction exemplifies Bowman’s mastery of color, movement, and atmospheric depth—an exceptional collectible for lovers of lyrical American modernism.
DETAILED ARTWORK DESCRIPTION
Rendered in overlapping washes of burgundy, plum, dusty rose, peach, pale gold, and soft gray, Untitled (Rose Cascade)unfolds in a vertical motion reminiscent of a blooming stem or cascading plume. The shapes, while abstract, evoke natural movement—petals unfolding, feathers fanning, or botanical forms reaching upward. Bowman’s restrained, pastel-infused palette is punctuated by deeper wine tones that anchor the composition and lend a sense of rhythmic pulse.
Created in the 1980s, the work showcases Bowman’s signature free-flow oil technique, achieved by diluting oil pigments and allowing them to travel across heavyweight paper through controlled tilting and gravity. This method produces feathered edges, smooth transitions, and translucent layering that cannot be replicated—each work is truly one-of-a-kind.
The artwork’s inspiration aligns with Bowman’s lifelong fascination with natural forms and the inherent behavior of pigment. Rather than painting literal imagery, he creates visual atmospheres that feel organic, emotional, and gently kinetic. The interplay of warm peach and cool lavender tones suggests harmony and balance, evoking themes of growth, renewal, and graceful motion.
Signed “Don Bowman” in pencil at the lower left, the signature and technique match documented works from the same period and artistic development.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY — DON BOWMAN (American, b.1934)
Don Bowman, born in 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri, is an American abstract painter best known for his innovative oil-on-paper abstractions and experimental color-field compositions. His early artistic potential led him to pursue formal training at Lincoln University in Missouri, where he studied commercial art, fine art, and design. These foundations would later merge into a mature style that combined technical skill with fluid spontaneity.
Bowman began his career in commercial art and screen printing—fields that sharpened his understanding of layering, surface behavior, and color interaction. By the late 1960s and 1970s he shifted toward full-time fine art, developing the free-flow oil technique for which he is most recognized. This approach involves diluting oil paint, applying it to heavyweight paper laid flat, and guiding the pigment using gravity and subtle manual movement. The resulting forms—ethereal, translucent, and organic—became his visual signature.
Throughout the 1970s–80s Bowman exhibited widely in California, Missouri, and New York, and his works entered private, institutional, and notable collections. His abstractions are frequently associated with lyrical abstraction, color-field modernism, and the organic wing of American abstract expressionism. His paintings blur the line between atmospheric landscapes, floral suggestion, and pure abstraction, inviting viewers to interpret the forms through their own emotional lens.
Bowman’s creative process emphasizes cooperation with the material: rather than forcing pigment into rigid shapes, he nurtures its natural movement to reveal forms that feel alive, rhythmic, and contemplative. Works such as Untitled (Rose Cascade) exemplify his serene yet dynamic visual language, and continue to be highly desirable among collectors of postwar American abstraction.
Don Bowman (American, b.1934)
Untitled (Rose Cascade), c.1980s
Oil on paper, 36 × 26 in.
Signed lower left “Don Bowman.”
Elegant abstract composition with layered rose, peach, lavender, and burgundy forms created with Bowman’s free-flow oil technique. Very good vintage condition.
Provenance: Acquired in New York City; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Don Bowman (American, b.1934)
Title: Untitled (Rose Cascade) (attributed)
Date: c.1980s
Medium: Oil on paper
Dimensions: 36 × 26 in.
Signature: Signed “Don Bowman,” lower left
Artwork Description:
A vertical abstract composition featuring layered peach, rose, lavender, and sage forms that cascade upward in translucent waves. Executed using Bowman’s free-flow oil technique, resulting in soft gradients and natural pigment feathering.
Authenticity:
Signature, technique, paper type, and palette conform to verified works by Don Bowman from the 1970s–80s.
Condition:
Very good vintage condition; minor age-appropriate toning at margins. No structural losses. Suitable for archival framing.
Provenance:
Don Bowman (Artist Studio)
Private Collection, New York City
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — Current Owner
PROVENANCE CHAIN
Artist Studio — Don Bowman
Private Collection, New York City (acquired c.1980s)
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)
Untitled (Rose Cascade), c.1980s, by American abstract artist Don Bowman (b.1934), is a signed 36 × 26 in. oil on paper acquired in New York City and executed in his distinctive free-flow oil technique.
Untitled (Rose Cascade) is a graceful and sophisticated abstract oil on paper by Don Bowman, celebrated for his innovative free-flow technique that transforms transparent washes of color into rhythmic, organic forms. Soft layers of peach, lavender, sage, and burgundy rise and curl around a central cascading stem, creating a sense of upward movement and botanical elegance. Each translucent plane overlaps seamlessly, producing luminous tonal blending characteristic of Bowman’s most sought-after 1970s–80s works. Signed lower left and acquired in New York, this 36 × 26 inch vintage abstraction exemplifies Bowman’s mastery of color, movement, and atmospheric depth—an exceptional collectible for lovers of lyrical American modernism.
DETAILED ARTWORK DESCRIPTION
Rendered in overlapping washes of burgundy, plum, dusty rose, peach, pale gold, and soft gray, Untitled (Rose Cascade)unfolds in a vertical motion reminiscent of a blooming stem or cascading plume. The shapes, while abstract, evoke natural movement—petals unfolding, feathers fanning, or botanical forms reaching upward. Bowman’s restrained, pastel-infused palette is punctuated by deeper wine tones that anchor the composition and lend a sense of rhythmic pulse.
Created in the 1980s, the work showcases Bowman’s signature free-flow oil technique, achieved by diluting oil pigments and allowing them to travel across heavyweight paper through controlled tilting and gravity. This method produces feathered edges, smooth transitions, and translucent layering that cannot be replicated—each work is truly one-of-a-kind.
The artwork’s inspiration aligns with Bowman’s lifelong fascination with natural forms and the inherent behavior of pigment. Rather than painting literal imagery, he creates visual atmospheres that feel organic, emotional, and gently kinetic. The interplay of warm peach and cool lavender tones suggests harmony and balance, evoking themes of growth, renewal, and graceful motion.
Signed “Don Bowman” in pencil at the lower left, the signature and technique match documented works from the same period and artistic development.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY — DON BOWMAN (American, b.1934)
Don Bowman, born in 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri, is an American abstract painter best known for his innovative oil-on-paper abstractions and experimental color-field compositions. His early artistic potential led him to pursue formal training at Lincoln University in Missouri, where he studied commercial art, fine art, and design. These foundations would later merge into a mature style that combined technical skill with fluid spontaneity.
Bowman began his career in commercial art and screen printing—fields that sharpened his understanding of layering, surface behavior, and color interaction. By the late 1960s and 1970s he shifted toward full-time fine art, developing the free-flow oil technique for which he is most recognized. This approach involves diluting oil paint, applying it to heavyweight paper laid flat, and guiding the pigment using gravity and subtle manual movement. The resulting forms—ethereal, translucent, and organic—became his visual signature.
Throughout the 1970s–80s Bowman exhibited widely in California, Missouri, and New York, and his works entered private, institutional, and notable collections. His abstractions are frequently associated with lyrical abstraction, color-field modernism, and the organic wing of American abstract expressionism. His paintings blur the line between atmospheric landscapes, floral suggestion, and pure abstraction, inviting viewers to interpret the forms through their own emotional lens.
Bowman’s creative process emphasizes cooperation with the material: rather than forcing pigment into rigid shapes, he nurtures its natural movement to reveal forms that feel alive, rhythmic, and contemplative. Works such as Untitled (Rose Cascade) exemplify his serene yet dynamic visual language, and continue to be highly desirable among collectors of postwar American abstraction.
Don Bowman (American, b.1934)
Untitled (Rose Cascade), c.1980s
Oil on paper, 36 × 26 in.
Signed lower left “Don Bowman.”
Elegant abstract composition with layered rose, peach, lavender, and burgundy forms created with Bowman’s free-flow oil technique. Very good vintage condition.
Provenance: Acquired in New York City; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Don Bowman (American, b.1934)
Title: Untitled (Rose Cascade) (attributed)
Date: c.1980s
Medium: Oil on paper
Dimensions: 36 × 26 in.
Signature: Signed “Don Bowman,” lower left
Artwork Description:
A vertical abstract composition featuring layered peach, rose, lavender, and sage forms that cascade upward in translucent waves. Executed using Bowman’s free-flow oil technique, resulting in soft gradients and natural pigment feathering.
Authenticity:
Signature, technique, paper type, and palette conform to verified works by Don Bowman from the 1970s–80s.
Condition:
Very good vintage condition; minor age-appropriate toning at margins. No structural losses. Suitable for archival framing.
Provenance:
Don Bowman (Artist Studio)
Private Collection, New York City
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — Current Owner
PROVENANCE CHAIN
Artist Studio — Don Bowman
Private Collection, New York City (acquired c.1980s)
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)
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