From Novice to Notable: Beth Bowen’s Meteoric Ascent to Artistic Stardom
Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected challenges our way, often leaving us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. But for Beth Bowen, a renowned international abstract artist and mother of four from Palos Verdes, navigating uncertainty has led to an extraordinary journey from doubt to flourishing.
At the age of 38, Beth found herself at a crossroads. Divorced with four kids and no clear career path, she grappled with financial instability and the daunting prospect of starting anew. Instead of succumbing to uncertainty, she made a bold decision to confront her fears head-on.
Initially, she found herself on a reality TV show, not what she anticipated, leaving Bowen feeling disillusioned with the experience. Faced with uncertainty about her next steps, Bowen sought solace in painting, discovering its therapeutic qualities during quiet moments. What started as a form of therapy soon blossomed into a full-fledged career as an internationally recognized abstract artist.
“I learned how to paint from YouTube and found myself really present and in the moment when painting but I never dreamed I’d have a gallery show. I had no idea what I was doing. I called a gallery sight unseen and paid $500. Then I just cranked the pieces out. Nobody knew I did art, nobody. So it was a huge surprise to everyone. I put it on Facebook and 250 people came to my showcase. It was crazy. I sold half my collection that night,” Bowen shares.
Born and raised in Fresno, California with no formal art training, Bowen’s resilience and determination quickly paid off. “At first it felt like imposter syndrome. I had no idea how any of it worked, no clue about the art world or how to price my pieces, etc.. I remember creating paintings and bubble wrapping them the night before, and shipping them to Miami to be presented at Art Basel,” she says.
Within her first year as an artist, she showcased her work at every major art festival across the nation. Her talent caught the attention of international audiences, leading to extraordinarily prestigious exhibitions at Le Louvre in Paris and even creating a 16 foot mural commissioned for the 2022 World Cup.
Today, Bowen’s artwork can be found in prominent locations such as NYC Times Square and luxury hotels like the Four Seasons. She has been commissioned to create what she calls a ‘huge piece’ for the 150th anniversary of Kentucky Derby and is very proud of her print distribution deal with HomeGoods/TJ Maxx.
“TJ Maxx was my mom’s favorite store so for me when I got in there, that’s when I really felt like I’d made it. That was big, it was for my mom,” she says, further solidifying her reputation as a rising star in the art world.
Despite her rapid success, Bowen remains grounded in her roots and dedicated to her role as a mother to four children. As she continues to paint her way through life’s ups and downs, she serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for anyone facing adversity. Bowen’s journey reminds us that with courage, resilience, and a willingness to embrace change, we can turn our fears into opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
