From doctor to artist all in one
by Cathy Braun

MOUNTAIN IRON - It is not a long way from the operating room to the art studio for Jay Davenport, his passions have served him well in both fields.

"I considered it a great honor to care (as an orthopedic surgeon) for people," Davenport said. "I felt like an art student all my life and now I am ready to be a professional."

As a young man, Davenport recalled how he made the decision to become a doctor rather than study art because "art seemed frivolous at the time."

Today, the art Davenport refers to is his own series, entitled Born in America. The series of paintings are watercolors.

Historically accurate, the watercolors are based on archival photographs by three famous turn of the (19th to 20th) century photographers: Edward S. Curtis, Carl Moon and George W. Scott. Davenport spent years researching the photos, the photographers and their subjects.

Since the original photos were in black and white and Davenport's watercolors are in color, he researched native American tribal colors, dress codes, and practices.

One item he took great pains with was the expressions and dress of the subjects. According to Davenport's research, it seemed there were only two or three costumes worn by the subjects. One photographer would dress different subjects in the same garb, take their pictures and move on.

"Of course, these pictures were taken for their commercial value. The pictures were taken and multiple copies were made for sale," Davenport said.

The painting Navaho Youth is an example of some slight changes that Davenport made to the original photograph. Davenport explained, in the photograph, the young boy was, probably a bit frightened; in his painting he gave the boy a strong penetrating look.

The care and detail Davenport went to is evident in each line and brush stroke. It started with Davenport drawing every day.

From 1996 to 2004 Davenport drew almost daily - he did not do any painting. In his studio there are rolls of paper with drawings on them; drawings of faces, eyes, cheeks, ears, heads and bodies.

During this non-painting time, Davenport also spent a great deal of effort researching which subjects he would paint as well as all pertinent information related to the subject's tribe and culture.

By 2004, he was ready to paint again. His process was to make a pencil drawing on very thin paper. His goal was to reflect the tone and mood of his subject during this phase. After he copied the drawing onto the watercolor paper, he was ready to paint.

"Each time I do a painting, I have something in mind I'm trying to illustrate," Davenport said. "I'm wrestling with the emotion that is represented by that photograph and I work on that. I spend more time drawing than I do painting."

Watercolor, unlike oil or acrylic painting, is an unforgiving media. Watercolor can be darkened but not lightened. Planning the color and how it will react to the paper and the subject was a key component to Davenport's painting.

Born in America is a well-crafted, well-thought out and well-designed series. So, why have a gallery and an art show in the middle of the countryside versus putting into a local town or holding it the cities?

"I'm 70," he said. "An artist starts his career at 20. I don't have that time or luxury. I need to kick-start this career. I took my situation and developed it the best I can."

He is a strong believer in Iron Range art.

"There's no reason why we can't have fine art here," he said. "I can work and if someone shows up - I can show them around."

The intensity and passion that Davenport merges into his work have made his pieces compelling. They are larger than an actual photo for a reason because he wanted the viewer to have a sense of closeness to his subject.

Davenport reflected upon his life, as he considered his opening and his next projects.

"I feel like I've had it both ways," he said. "I feel great joy about my work now."

"I loved being a doctor and now I love not being one. I can't wait to pick up the brushes again. I'm eager to get started on that journey."

The Davenport Art Studio (DAS) public opening is Monday, Sept. 26 and will continue through Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at 4815 Honkanen Road, Mt. Iron, 218-258-3664. After that time, Davenport's paintings will be shown by appointment.