Now in his early 60s, Downs draws inspiration from mentors Karl Benjamin and Frederick Hammersley, which has helped shape his unique painting approach. He strives to create art that mirrors contemporary life, employing a process of layering marks to reveal shifting moods and depths of color.

The current series, 'Conversations In The Abstract,' was born from a life-altering event in 2015 where a stroke transformed Downs' perception of life as an artist. It brought forth a series of strange and unusual conversations in his mind, which he can only describe as abstract. For Downs, the task at hand is to translate these abstract thoughts into tangible paintings. His aim is to convey the aesthetics of his unique experiences in a positive manner. The strength of his works lies in his mastery of color, balance, and simplicity, which he uses to bring his experiences to life on the canvas.