Marion Bowerman

I was born in the chemical town of Widnes. I was lucky enough to spend my days post primary school in the now little remaining fields, country lanes and Wilson’s horse farm around Upton Lane. It is little surprise that my love of the countryside, nature and my surroundings feature in my art now. I have my art teacher Mr Humphries to thank for his astute guidance and kindness in encouraging me in a area of my life that in my teenage angst years, lovingly occupied my ‘indoors’ free time. With no phone, electrical gadgets, computers or social media, I was content to spend my time listening to Bowie or Genesis and then Blondie and The Jam, whilst honing my use of pattern, form, line, tone and colour in the observational homework set, such as studies of flowers, the agricultural landscape and household items. I was happy and fulfilled in this space.

For almost forty years I have worked in education, thirty of those in the classroom understanding children, teaching Art and outdoors teaching Sport. My last role supporting secondary schools and children in my home town enabled me to develop in the areas of mental health, trauma and associated behaviours. When I asked a 13 year old boy struggling with life and at the brink of permanent exclusion from school when was he most happy, he replied, ‘When I’m just doing Art with my headphones in and I don’t have to think about anything else.’ I wasn’t surprised by his answer and understood his need for calm and some control in his life. The process of art helps maintain balance in my life too.

Whilst my work at present is my own I have reached out to different generations in bringing the power of art into peoples lives and this is something I will be developing more in my local community. Some of the action images show my late Dad learning experimental ink art in making a card for my sister and my family, friends and neighbours connecting in Teapot art sessions. Fun is of the essence and as I insisted on telling them everything produced is Absolutely Art!