Artist in mixed media, born and educated in the north of England, his early moorland landscapes reflecting his background. After studying modern languages at Manchester and Cambridge Universities and art history at Innsbruck University, McDowell spent eight years teaching in the Middle East and working with archaeological research teams in North Africa, Turkey, Cyprus and Jordan. He painted extensively, his work remaining influenced by early Greek and Byzantine art. McDowell was made a member of RI in 1985, joining its council in 1991. In 1990 he won the Winsor & Newton RI Award, in 1992 the Blackstone Gallery Award. Showed at Mall, Mistral and Phoenix Galleries, with James West Fine Art, at Adam Gallery in Bath and Linda Blackstone Gallery, Pinner, as well as widely abroad.