John Bowen has been an artist and illustrator for more than 45 years, studying commercial art at the School of Fine and Industrial Arts in Newark, New Jersey.  After two years of experience in advertising agencies, he entered the United States Air Force as an illustrator.  He documented airlift operations in South Vietnam, and his illustrations are on display at the Air Force Academy in Colorado.  Upon establishing a residence in South Florida, John began to paint in detail with watercolor, conveying the mood and story of a scene through the use of dramatic lighting and vibrant color.

John paints to keep Florida’s history alive.  “This is a passion with me,” says the artist.  “I believe in keeping history alive by both painting it and helping to preserve it.”  This he does by donating artwork and Giclee limited edition prints to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami, Florida and now at the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society through March 2016.

The closing reception will include the opportunity to purchase giclees and original paintings as well as a signed book he published and received acclaim about his time being an ‘Artist at war’ – “Eleven Months and Nineteen Days” containing 43 black and white drawings plus a color rendering for the front and back covers.

For more information, click on the event link.