Meet CA-based Artist Leanne Bowen
Leanne Bowen is a Sierra Mountains (CA)-based visual artist, using the mediums of watercolor and pencil.
Visit her website to see her work!
CATHOLIC ARTIST CONNECTION: Where are you from originally, and what brought you to California?
LEANNE BOWEN: I am from all over. I was born in Michigan, raised in Saint Louis, went to school at the University of Kansas, and served as a missionary in Colorado, Los Angeles, and Berkeley. I moved to the foothills of the Sierra Mountains five years ago. My husband is a cattle rancher and we live in a small ranching community! It has been so beautiful to live rurally and close to family! I love that he can live his dream of being a cowboy while I live my dream of being an artist.
How do understand your vocation as a Catholic artist?
I feel very called to be a Catholic artist and make the Merciful Heart of Jesus known through my work. I spend my energy as a creative attempting to put beauty into the hands of God's faithful. It is such a gift to get to paint what I love. I nerd out about the saints and their lives, so this is a dream job for me to get to be a Catholic artist!
Hearts of the Holy Family
Where have you found support in the Church for your vocation as an artist?
I have been astounded by the support of the Church. When I first left my job to do art full time, a priest and a family sponsored a trip for me to go to Italy to learn how to fresco paint. Since then, I feel like the support has been astounding of faithful lay people buying prints and pieces for their dorms and homes.
Where have you found support among your fellow artists for your Catholic faith?
I am a part of a Catholic artist group, and they have been a pillar of support for me the last few years. They continually inspire me to keep creating and growing as an artist and a person. We have read The Artist's Way and a few other books together. It is amazing to find a group of people that are in the same vocation as I am. Their support means everything to me.
How can the Church be more welcoming to artists?
The Church needs artists and artists need the Church! If you ever feel called to support an artist, or to buy their work, those are great ways to support what they are doing!
Painting with Mom
Where in your city do you regularly find spiritual fulfillment?
I attend a beautiful little Catholic Church in Bakersfield, CA. I also find a lot of nourishment from a bible study I attend. I recommend finding a group to grow with. Both my bible study and my artist group have formed me immensely.
Where in your city do you regularly find artistic fulfillment?
I live in a town of 100 people, so most of my artistic community I have found through social media! I try to take the time to get to know artists that inspire me. They have become close friends and companions. Whether you live in a big city or a tiny rural community, there can be artists close to you.
What is your daily spiritual practice?
I enjoy taking time to read and journal each morning. I will often make a list of things that are on my mind and then ask the Lord what He thinks about it. I also ask him what He desires for me that day. Craftsmanship is truly a charism, and when I take time to center on prayer I feel like it is easier to create and make.
What is your daily artistic practice?
My daily practice ebbs and flows because I have two little girls. I have found that I am happiest when I paint everyday alongside being a mom. Even if it is just a little bit of painting here and there. I recommend making time for art, even if it is minimal time. As artists, if we make time for what we love, we give that as a gift to those we love.
Under Mary’s Mantle candle
How do you financially support yourself as an artist?
I work full time as a visual artist. I run an online shop and an Etsy!
How do you market your art?
I market my artwork through Instagram, Facebook, and Etsy. I have been blown away by how people desire beautiful things for their spaces! I would recommend artists to start small and build up their following by committing to it everyday. It has been a long process, but I am blown away by how God finds ways to support artists through the faithful in the Church.
What are your top pieces of advice for Catholic artists post-graduation?
I would recommend working somewhere that brings you a lot of life and making art on the side! Where ever you work needs to give you energy so that you aren't burned out by the end of the day.