The April 23 reception will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the library, located at 119 N. 8th St. The show is sponsored by the Santa Paula Society of the Arts.

“Wendell’s imagination, talent, and diversity was like no other,” said Janice Dickenson, a longtime friend of the artist. 

“This show displays a taste of all of his styles and mediums. A truly gifted man was he.”

Dowling, an area native, passed away unexpectedly in September.

Dickenson said his widow, “Lynne gathered all of this art together and what I particularly like about this show is the diversity,” starting from “Work going back to a couple of cartoons he whipped up during his high school days.” 

The display also includes Dowling’s graphic art career examples, portraits, local landscapes and buildings, aviation and western art, the latter said Dickenson “Probably his most favorite, he loved it.”

She noted the display also encompasses all mediums…watercolors, acrylic, oil, pencil, pen and ink and colored pencil that Dowling created with. 

Dickenson and other artists including the Dowlings painted together weekly; several of these works are included in the BCL display.

“We watched him create these beautiful pieces from his mind and imagination. There was no photo in front of him,” as, noted Dickenson, “he could put on paper or canvas what his mind envisioned. That is pure talent. I’m sure they are out there but I do not personally know any artist who excels in so many mediums and styles. 

“Wendell could even write cursive — backwards! And,” said Dickenson, “it looked perfect!”

An autobiography Dowling wrote for a display of his work at the Agriculture Museum (which is still being shown) noted he spent his high school years working on area ranches.

His affinity for art was shown early: 

“In four years of high school,” he took art each semester, “made campaign posters for student elections and lettered names on students’ cars.”

His early aspiration was to become an architect but Dowling changed his career plans to commercial artist. He had a varied career including technical illustration and advertising before he went freelance.

He drew cars for 17 years for Cruise Nite T-shirts, continued to do cartoons and did an adventure comic strip called The Adventures of Nick Blade for an aviation art magazine. He also illustrated books, magazines and album covers and designed logos among other projects.

Dowling also did two acclaimed murals in Santa Paula including the Transportation Mural on East Santa Barbara Street.

His last project was designing the Aviation in Santa Paula book celebrating the famed airport’s 85th anniversary.

“The world,” said Dickenson, “has Wendell’s art forever…”