Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Ann Bowman.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Even though my only apparent job skill was typing, I eventually established a pottery business, traveling up and down the east coast selling my wares at craft fairs. I hadn’t wanted to take ceramics but it was the only class available at the art center. And later at my office job, the school’s ceramics lab was right next door. Some 20 years later, on a quiet 4th of July, I tried out a new process for learning what else I might do with clay. An entire page of Yes/No questions later I was willing to give up the potters’ wheel and build everything by hand. Even though I kept asking questions, I was way out there figuring how on earth to do whatever came next. My favorite teacher, the one next door to my office job, would proclaim, if you’re about to move forward and you don’t have a clue what to do, that’s the absolute best place to be. I thought was probably true. Now I know absolutely it’s the best!
Please tell us about your art.
I make what pleases me or will please me as I, one by one, discover what other components will bring out what I feel I’m looking for. Recently I’ve been rediscovering abandoned clay pieces out in the yard that deserve a second chance.
As far as needing to know something about my work, children get it immediately, the younger, the better. I make these pieces because I feel joyful in discovering what will make them shine. I am delighted when other people “get it” as well.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I have just completed the most successful show I’ve ever done. The way I worked through the daunting pile of projects and ideas was to be sure I felt really good before starting each day, each project, each segment of each project. Sit, sip water, breathe, listen to music. The ideas would come. The more I insisted on feeling good the more quickly the inspiration came, I’m totally convinced that finding a way to feel good is the way to go. It’s funny. Of course, I want to feel good. Now I understand why it’s so important.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work can be seen at State-of-the-Art Gallery, Ithaca. I also participate in the Greater Ithaca Area Art Trail Open Studio weekends. Also www.maryannbowman.com and Instagram
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maryannbowman.com
- Email: maryanbow@gmail.com
Image Credit:
I took all these photos myself except for the portrait taken by my son Eric Bowman
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