Jason Dowd knew he wanted to be an artist from the age of five. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, he grew up around the studio of his father, Ken Dowd, a successful illustrator, laying the foundation for his future as an artist. Jason received his BFA at the Art Center College of Design, graduating second in his class. At Art Center, he focused on classical drawing and painting as his principal areas of study.

Jason returned to St. Louis to pursue a career as a freelance illustrator. He worked with clients such as Simon& Schuster, Coca-Cola, and Anheuser-Busch while continuing his studies as a painter. In 2000, Jason decided to dedicate himself fully to fine art and established his studio at the St. Louis Artists' Guild where he was Artist-in-Residence.

Jason has completed commissions for clients which include Southwest Bank, The Fox Theater of St. Louis, as well as many portraits including two official portraits of the Cardinal Justin Rigali for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Southwest Bank President Drew Baur, and President/Founder of the Mary Engelbreit Company, Mary Engelbreit.

Jason is a member of the California Art Club, the Portrait Society of America, and the Oil Painters of America. Most recently, "Bountiful Summer" has been accepted into the California Art Club's 96th Annual Gold Medal Show, which will be held at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, April 29th through May 20th, 2007."Woman in a Black Hat" was awarded "Best of Show" by juror and fellow artist C.W. Mundy at the Oil Painters of America regional exhibition. Jason's still life, "The Sweetest Things in Life" was awarded an Honorable Mention at the 2006 Art Renewal Center's Salon Show.

Jason is currently represented by Kodner Gallery of the Masters in St. Louis, MO. Jason teaches workshops, instructs at the Laguna College of Art and Design, and continues to work from his home studio in Corona del Mar.