"Mama's Pride"

           Website:  Robin Bowman Designs

                         Email:  robindesigns@aol.com

                 

Artist's Statement: I create original fabric collage art in my home studio in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, surrounded by an abundant fabric stash, four sewing machines, paints & dyes, polymer clay buttons, and threads & fibers of all kinds!  After years of searching for my "niche" in the art world, I have managed to create an art business that fulfills my mission in life:  enjoy what I do, and share it with others.

Originally from upstate New York, I was artistic even from early childhood.  My father encouraged me at an early age to practice drawing by placing various unrelated objects on the table and we would sketch, sketch, sketch.  In addition, he shared his love of fishing and I spent many hours as a young child sitting on the dock and in the boat at the lake watching him catch his prizes.  What unfolded was a childhood full of drawing, painting, and creating art projects.  In addition, my mom shared her love of embroidery and sewing by teaching me.  Years in 4-H strengthened my sewing skills, and my confidence in public speaking.  Many years followed in which I studied watercolor and acrylic painting.    Although urged by my high school art teacher, Mrs. Rosen to pursue a career in art, I chose nursing as a profession (although I managed to minor in Fine Art!).  Upon earning a Master's Degree in Maternal-Child Nursing, I cheerfully spent the next 21 years taking care of new parents and their newborns, taught in several college nursing programs, and served the state of NY as a Perinatal Nurse Consultant.  Woven into these years, however, was the continual passion for art which led to much art experimentation in search of a niche.  Teaching children art, and constructing window treatments and home furnishings fueled my passion, as I successfully managed my own interior decorating business.    Ultimately, moving to Florida led to reconsidering career options.  Surrounded by beaches, tropical plants, blue skies, and plenty of fish,  I began creating decorator pillows with a sea theme.  Although very well received by customers, I longed to bring my creations into the fine art arena.  After some nudging by a close girlfriend, I "lifted" the collaged front off of the pillow, and matted and framed it.  Viola!  I haven't looked back since; in fact I got right to work writing a business plan and started building a body of work.  My first art show was in 2002, in Sarasota, Florida at the John Carl Spa, and it convinced me that this would be my new life's work.    I formally established Robin Bowman Designs in 2005, and hope that the excitement and fun so far continues well into the future!