Lorraine Bowen

Lorraine Bowen was born in Rochester, New York, in 1953, and grew up in Chicago with her parents, Arlene and Harry Bouras.  Although she was exposed to the literary and art worlds during the 1960s and '70s, she had little or no training in what would become her artistic medium.  "I took some classes as a youngster at the Hyde Park Art Center and at The Art Institute of Chicago, but the last thing in the world I would have chosen to do with my life was make paintings.  My dad did that; and, anyway, I was destined to act and direct and be a fantastic theater person!  Lots of praise . . . lots of people."  However, Lorraine moved east, raised a family and began to paint in the 1980s.  "To be honest, my father gave me my first set of paints and was for the most part encouraging. (Well, there was that one time he came to visit and repainted something I had just finished!)" Those of you who know of Harry Bouras the critic, teacher and artist will understand that story.

Luckily for Lorraine, she persisted long enough to begin to understand the medium she chose 20 years ago. "I never get over the feeling that my limitations far exceed any strengths. I've just started to cast some concrete panels. It's a lot of fun, and as I have no idea whatsoever how to work in reverse, it's a challenge.  But truth be told, it is with paint, canvas, paper and ink that I need to keep trying to get at the stories I want to tell."  She is being filmed creating work and discussing its meaning.

Currently, Lorraine is living with her family in Troy, New York, in a lovely brownstone from the 1860s.  "Troy is a magnificent little town. Everyone should come and visit."