RICH BOWMANBALANCE

Solo ExhibitionNovember 2015

118 Southwest Blvd Kansas City, MO 64108816.527.0823 BlueGalleryOnline.com

RICH BOWMANBALANCE Opening Reception and Artist Talk Thursday, November 5th, 6–8 pm Artist’s talk begins at 7:00 pm

First Friday, November 6th, 6–9 pm Exhibition runs through Saturday, November 30th, 2015

BALANCE

Art imitates life. And for every action, there’s a reaction.

Balance is something so fundamental. Without it, one has difficulty simply standing or moving with ease. A painting also requires balance to be successful. I think we all strive for balance in our everyday life. Especially in our current, fast paced, over-worked, over-stimulated world. Over the last year, the idea of life-balance has been in the forefront of my thoughts. I’ve consciously made it a focus, personally and spiritually. It was time to bring that same philosophy to my studio life. When I started this body of work, I chose the word “ balance” as my focus. A painting mantra, if you will.

The show BALANCE comes on the heels of two bodies of work and is a reaction to them (Passages and New Territories). Both of these previous bodies of work focused on exploring and refining a new approach to my work. This newer painting approach is what I call my Emerging Works (see description below). Prior to that, I approached my work in a more traditional painting manner, which I refer to as my Signature Works (see description below). In the condensed description of these two: Emerging Works is an internally driven body of work, and Signature Works is more externally inspired. In the making of this new body of work, BALANCE, I felt the need and desire to bring the two disciplines together. Taking the things I’ve learned from both and applying them to the canvas.

In a way, at least to me, this show is also a bit of a homecoming or return with a little retrospective sprinkled on top. I’ve lived in Kansas City for 43 years and have been successfully represented by Blue Gallery since early 2001. The thought of my hometown, the people, and the landscape that surrounds it gives me true pride to call this place home. Its richness has infused itself into my soul and my work and that is represented in this exhibition.

Signature WorksMy signature work is the work that I’m most known for and is the base of my passion. This work is what has set the stage for my entry into the fine art world. Bold, colorful, big-sky oil paintings. I’ve always had a passion for being outdoors. My love of light and its powerful effects on me and the environment in which I live really are the driver in all these works. I’ve tried to expand my subject-matter several times. So far, I have always returned to nature, specifically landscapes. The flexibility of the subject-matter and the endless possibilities continue to intrigue my imagination. My signature work stretches reality through light, color, and design but always stays within reach of what it’s representing. Most of this work I reference photographs or at least starts off influenced by one or more photos.

Emerging Works For me, being an artist means taking some risks and trying new ways of applying paint or approaching subject-matter. Call it what you like; experimentation, growth, changing it up, or just plain having fun. For me, it’s necessary in keeping my creative sanity. This newer approach is basically void of photographic reference. However, on occasion, I have used photos (for reference) to complete a painting.

I quickly found that this way of painting is very interpretive and open-ended (and can be incredibly frustrating if you’re not open to all possibilities). One or two too many strokes and the painting is over-worked. Often these images are built off a few simple marks that are subconsciously made over a blocked-in horizon line or a previously scraped painting and built into a somewhat representational form. This process is so contradictory to my normal or traditional starting process. It has produced many new discoveries on the canvas. But the most profound, is its positive effect on my creative esteem and awareness. The work is looser, less descriptive, more expressive, and more sketch-like than my signature work.

About Blue GalleryIn business for 15 years, Blue Gallery is a popular and respected fixture of Kansas City’s lively art scene. Its underlying philosophy reminds visitors of the owners Kelly and David Kuhn’s genuine commitment to the arts: they treat art and beauty as fundamental elements of life, and instill this mood into their gallery. But what has set Blue Gallery apart, is the way Kelly and David conduct their business behind the art. “We work with our artists with the same tenants as our collectors: integrity, passion, and obsession with quality in every decision we make,” says Kelly. “A philosophy that is the result of over 23 years working with professional artists and collectors. Over all, David and I are committed to providing an inspired and profound experience that is inclusive and transformative.”

Established in 2000 at the center of Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, Blue Gallery represents 40+ emerging to established local, regional and nationally known artists, with works placed in private and public collections worldwide. Blue Gallery holds several exhibitions a year, as well as participates in First Fridays, held exclusively in the Crossroads Arts District monthly. Blue Gallery is considered one of the premier galleries in Kansas City having won numerous awards including KC Magazine’s Best Private Art Gallery in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, and Ingram’s Magazine Bronze for Best Museum or Art Gallery in 2004, 2005, and 2007. And 435 Magazine’s Best Local Art Gallery in 2015.

Persuasive Stateoil on canvas64” x 96”$11,500

Tempered Landoil on canvas61.5” x 61.5” fr.$8600

Graceful Junctureoil on canvas60” x 60”$8400

Blue River Forkoil on canvas40” x 84”$8300

Evening Formoil on canvas49.5” x 59.5” fr.$7000

Turning to Lavenderoil on canvas51.5” x 51.5” fr.$6900

Curable Groundoil on canvas49.5” x 49.5” fr.$6500

Crystal Flatsoil on canvas33.5” x 61.5” fr.$5900

Fall’s Blinkoil on canvas39.5” x 53.5” fr.$5800

Twilight’s Last Blushoil on canvas26” x 58”$5500

River Bend to Meoil on canvas24” x 60”$5400

Eagle Pointoil on canvas24” x 60”$5400

Green Wayoil on canvas29” x 49” fr.$5200

Liftingoil on canvas30” x 48”$5000

Moment of Silenceoil on canvas45.5” x 38.5” fr.$4900

One Last Noteoil on canvas39.5” x 37.5” fr.$4600

Clearing Greenoil on canvas25” x 41” fr.$4200

Summer’s Heightoil on canvas29” x 31” fr.$4100

White Topoil on canvas19” x 31” fr.$2900

Brilliant Endoil on canvas17” x 32” fr.$2800

Sun Burstoil on canvas21.5” x 21.5” fr.$2500

Look Westoil on canvas18” x 26” fr.$2500

West of Homeoil on canvas14.25” x 26.25” fr.$2400

Mid Winteroil on canvas14.25” x 26.25” fr.$2400

Burn Through IIIoil on canvas14.25” x 26.25” fr.$2400

Hidden in Plain Siteoil on panel10” x 22”$2200

Green/Redoil on canvas12.5” x 18.5” fr.$2000

Purple Creekoil on canvas15.5” x 12.5” fr.$1700

Purple Coveoil on canvas15.5” x 12.5” fr.$1700

Purple Turnoil on canvas15.5” x 12.5” fr.$1700

Purple Creekoil on canvas15.5” x 12.5” fr.$1700

Long Day to Redoil on canvas11” x 17”$1650

Twilight’s Retreatoil on canvas10” x 16”$1500

Green Way 2oil on canvas11” x 14”$1500

Blue Oneoil on canvas9.25” x 15.25” fr.$1500

Blue Twooil on canvas9.25” x 15.25” fr.$1500

Western Blueoil on canvas8” x 14”$1300

Silent Blueoil on canvas8” x 14”$1300

The Lake Ioil on canvas11.25” x 9.25” fr.$1000

The Lake IIoil on canvas11.25” x 9.25” fr.$1000

Lite from Aboveoil on canvas on panel10” x 10” fr.$1400

Wintry Mixoil on panel10” x 10”$1200

Light/Easy Dayoil on canvas on panel9” x 12”$950

Light/Easyoil on canvas8” x 10”$750

Pink Blinkoil on canvas8” x 10”$750

Evening Soonoil on canvas on panel9” x 12”$950

Bright Pointoil on canvas8” x 10”$750

Pink Coveoil on canvas10” x 8”$750

Semi Breakingoil on canvas on panel8” x 8”$600

Super Orangishoil on canvas on panel8” x 8”$600

Little Light IIoil on canvas8.75” x 6.75” fr.$500

Trackingoil on canvas7.75” x 7.75” fr.$500

Little Light IIoil on canvas8.75” x 6.75” fr.$500

Trackingoil on canvas7.75” x 7.75” fr.$500

Two Turns, Blueoil on canvas on panel5” x 5”$300

Orange/Grey Setoil on canvas on panel6” x 6”$450

Greener Wayoil on canvas on panel5” x 5”$300

Snowy Dayoil on canvas on panel5” x 5”$300

Pink Throughoil on canvas on panel5” x 5”$300

Snow Day, Lakeoil on canvas on panel5” x 5”$300

Snowy Dayoil on canvas on panel5” x 5”$300

Pink Throughoil on canvas on panel5” x 5”$300

Top of the Morningoil on canvas on panel5” x 5”$300

Purple-Yes!oil on canvas on panel5” x 5”$300

Rich BowmanCurriculum Vitae

Artist Bio: by Sara Ford

There’s something about the sky: something that prompts the spirit to soar especially during those magical moments when the sun retreats; it’s work complete. Painter Rich Bowman’s abstracted representational works are compelling. The broad sweep of the sky, alive with color and intriguing clouds towering above the landscape, evokes intense emotions in those seeking renewal.

Capturing the moods of the Midwestern sky is nothing short of a spiritual retreat for Bowman. “These familiar places calm my soul. The simple act of translating this subject matter grounds me,” he explains. “In truth it’s my meditation, my escape from life’s everyday pressures. When I paint, time is erased and my mind is eased by the boundless skies and transitioning hues.” Whether his paintings are serene or ominous - the artist says the emotion depends on his mood - Bowman’s skyscapes provide an emotional oasis.

The painter’s dusky sunsets, rich in texture and blended color, are captivating because of their intensity. “That’s the time of day that really inspires me,” Bowman says. The artist was born at sunset, a biographical fact that could be mere coincidence. On the other hand, Bowman’s time of birth could have been a hint of what was to come. His environment certainly influenced his art.

Not long after he was born in 1969 in Sherman, Texas, Bowman’s family moved to Missouri. Surrounded by thunderclouds, rolling fields, gentle hills and flat river plains, the artist grew to love the quixotic nature of the fluid environment. “The sky is always changing colors and shapes, “Bowman says. “Every time you turn your head there is an experience to see.”

Bowman went on to study art in high school. He also enrolled in figurative drawing classes offered at the Kansas City Art Institute. Because of that experience, the faculty of the prestigious institute encouraged Bowman to apply for a scholarship. Before he enrolled as a college student, Bowman debated whether to become an architect or an artist. “I decided that art was the more natural thing for me,” he says, citing another example of following the dictates of his heart. Bowman eventually earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree there.

After graduation he went to work for Hallmark as an illustrator. Over time, he advanced within the company until he became a design manager. During that period Bowman also took on additional jobs, working as a freelance illustrator. “I did a lot of jobs for well known companies. The way I worked was slow and laborious,” he says. “It just burned me out.” Bowman decided to quit freelancing and to explore fine art.

In the beginning he wasn’t certain what to paint. “I started going out in the country. Sunsets seemed to be a time of day when you could relax,” Bowman explains. “They became kind of my meditation.” As his work evolved, he learned to rely on memory and intuition. “My paintings are created from everyday images stored over a lifetime in my subconscious,” Bowman says. “They are not about the details of a specific place. I try to convey a feeling of time and atmosphere through texture, design and color.”

As a result, the artist experienced an exhilarating freedom and a sense of peace.

Born: 4/15/69 6:20 p.m. (sunset) Sherman, TX.Currently lives in Kansas City, Mo.

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Kansas City Art Institute, May 91

Exhibition:2015 Solo Exhibition, Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO2015 Small painting exhibition, Howard Mandville Gallery, Kirkville, WA2014 Group show, Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO2014 Group exhibition, Craighed Green Gallery, Dallas, TX2013 Two person show, Blue Gallery, Kansas City MO2012 Group show, Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO2012 Group exhibition, Craighead Green, Dallas TX2011 Two man exhibition, Meyer Gallery, Santa Fe, NM2010 Solo Exhibition, Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO2009 Group show, Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO2009 Group show, Craighead Green Gallery, Dallas, TX2009 Group show, Bonner David Galleries. Scottsdale, AZ2008 One man show, Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO2008 One man show, Meyer Gallery, Santa Fe, NM2008 Group show, Craighead Green Gallery, Dallas, TX2007 Two man show, Meyer Gallery, Park City, Utah2007 Two man show, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Seattle, WA2007 Best of the Best, Group show, Bonner David Galleries. Scottsdale, AZ2006 One man show, The Blue Gallery Kansas City, MO2006 One Man show, Meyer Gallery, Santa Fe, NM2006 Group show, Bonner David Galleries. Scottsdale, AZ2006 Group show, Love of the Land, Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA

2006 One man exhibition, The Meyers Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ2005 Emerging Artist exhibition, Bennett Street Gallery, Atlanta, GA2005 One man exhibition, The Meyers Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ2005 One man show, Meyer Gallery, Santa Fe, NM2004 One man show, The Blue Gallery Kansas City, MO2004 Two man show at The Meyer Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ2003 Two man show at The Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO 2000 E-4 Corporate Art Exhibition, Overland Park, KS2000 Crit Group Show, Shiraz Gallery, Kansas City, MO1999 Crit Group Show, Shiraz Gallery, Kansas City, MO1999 Solo Show, Shiraz Gallery, Kansas City, MO

Permanent Installations:Kansas City power/Light, KC, MOMediflex, Kansas City, MOAkin, Gump LLP, Dallas TXWeil, Gotshal & Manges. New York, NYShook, Hardy and Bacon LLP, Kansas City, MOArizona State University, Tempe, AZOverland Park Community Center, Overland Park, KSSpine & Specialty Hospital-Shawnee Mission, KSThe Intercontinental Hotel-Kansas City, MOEnturia, Inc.-Leawood, KSNational Center for Drug Free Sports-Kansas City, MOHusch Blackwell Sanders Law Firm-Kansas City, MOSchlotzky’s Inc., Austin TX.Aurther Bryant’s Restaurant, Kansas City MOWaddell & Reed Financial, Inc, Overland Park, KS

Awards:Voted 2005 best visual artist in Kansas City by KC MagazineSociety of Illustrators 35, 1994Society of Illustrators 34, 1993Kansas City Art Directors Association, Gold medal, painting,1992Society of Illustrators Student 33, 1992

Publications:Artist & Illustrators Magazine, UK, July 2011, Article on The Harmony of Analogy.Cover of Pitch Weekly, First Fridays Magazine Nov. 2010KC Magazine Nov. 2010 Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice, Watson-Guptill/Random House, Nov 09Spaces Kansas City, Aug 09American Art Collectors 45, July 08Spaces Kansas City, March 08Southern Living magazine, Feb 08Design NJ magazine, New Jersey, June/July 07Winter Count, Poems by Connie Dover (cover art) –March 07American Art Collectors, Collectors preview for up coming show -March 07American Art Collectors, Featured Artist -May 06KC Magazine, Best visual artist in KC- Sept. 05Southwest Art magazine cover - Apr 04Southwest Art magazine - Oct 01Kansas City Home magazine - Mar 00Southwest Airlines magazine - Jun 97United Airlines magazine - Feb 97Kansas City Star - Nov 96Mondavi wines - Aug 96Society of Illustrators - 94, 93, 92

118 Southwest Blvd Kansas City, MO 64108 816.527.0823 BlueGalleryOnline.com