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Illustrator: Milton 510 Bowens

I don't know much about this artist... other than he's noice wit it.
Milton 510 Bowen

(if you have more info please share)
UPDATE:
“I think that every painter is more or less obligated to re-enact, very rapidly, the entire history of painting in his or her own development - that is to understand and pass through classicism, the 19th century, the Harlem Renaissance, impressionism, surrealism, and abstraction. Contrary to the myth of the artist as an exceptional being neither parents nor conditioning, I am persuaded that there is a precise theoretical logic in the history of painting.

The most important dimension of painting lives in the zones of silence, emotions, and mystery created by the forms, the lines, the colors, the materials, the brushstroke, and the frailties forged by chance. No one would dare say that a painting by Rembrandt or Monet is not an accumulation of abstract passages even if there is a figure. You need simply observe the picture surface to understand the extent to which, if you isolate any given square centimeter, you are immersed in an abstract canvas.”

-ARTIST STATEMENT

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Bowens is the fifth boy of ten children. He began his formal art training at the Renaissance Art School in Oakland, CA during his junior and senior high school years. On completion of High School, he was awarded a scholarship to attend the California College of Arts and Crafts, but enlisted in the United States Armed Forces and became an Illustrator. He received his Associates Degree in Commercial Art under the Army’s College Education Assistance Program. Bowens continued his education in the Arts, attending both Austin Peay State University, TN and Fayettevile State University, NC while serving his tour of duty in the military. During this time, Bowens’ work was collected by two of the military’s most prestigious museums: the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum, Fort Bragg, NC, and the Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum, Fort Campbell, KY.

After serving his tour of duty, Bowens returned to the Bay Area and continued his art training under the mentorship of fine artist David Bradford, Head of the Art Department and lecturer at Laney College, Oakland, CA. Inspired by such greats as Jean Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschenberg, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and Andy Warhol, Bowens changed his focus from illustration to fine art. He has evolved into a significant figure in the Bay Area art scene, not only as an artist, but also as a powerful speaker and art activist. He has consistently worked to “keep art a vital part of public education and a tool to help rebuild self-esteem in youth”, he says, and “to try to bring about a level of civility to a community in need of inspiration.”

Bowens approaches his art with great seriousness. His well-thought out messages, keen observations and biting commentaries are thoroughly explored and meticulously presented, generally in large-formatted and voluminous series. Combining text and images in varying proportions, his mixed media works reveal a sharp intellect and a real-life understanding of life on the streets.

Bowens has been the subject of over twenty solo exhibitions since 1992, and has participated in numerous group exhibitions. His work can be found in numerous public and private collections. https://sites.google.com/site/mayuradocs/PinIt.png

5 comments:

MBB Founder and Editor Denene Millner said...

Milton Bowen is straight FIRE... LOVE his work. I've had my eye on a couple of his pieces for a minute... (need a few more of those minutes to scrape up the cash to afford him, though... one of these days!)

Craig said...

Hey Denene, HAppy New Year! I'm loving this dude too! Where is he from???

MBB Founder and Editor Denene Millner said...

Happy New Year to you, too!

Milton is based in Cali... here's a link to his page at an art gallery I drool over... er, visit online regularly.

http://www.aviscafineart.com/Gallery_Artists/Milton_Bowens/milton_bowens.htm

Craig said...

MANY THANKS DENENE!!!!! (incredi-woman!!!)

Milton 510 said...

Hey Craig, thanks for the shout out you can check out my website just go to www.milton510.com I just posted a bunch of new joints and please don't forget to add the "S" on the end of My last name Bowens ( it's all good )