Photo credit - Kay Moreau
As a watercolor artist, Elaine Bowers has fond memories of making art as a young child. Originally educated in graphic design, she later pursued the fine arts. Watercolors became her preferred medium in which she developed a photo realistic style. She enjoys painting intimate scenes of life, calling attention to perspectives a viewer may overlook. Her aerial landscape paintings in watercolor feature the Sacramento Delta and surrounding farmlands which inspired her series, "Earthscapes," which may take on an abstract pattern, while simultaneously reflecting her photo realistic style. She flies in small aircraft to take aerial photos of the landscape from which to paint. In her series “City of Trees,” the local trees in Sacramento, California are featured. Elaine also enjoys making ceramic clay sculpture and makes whimsical art featuring dogs, birds, birdhouses, masks and sand tray miniatures. She studied under sculptor Yoshio Taylor and Frans Duckers of Holland. She has won many awards and is honored to receive the AWS Bronze Medal of Honor in the 146th American Watercolor Society Annual International Exhibition. She has also shown her work in Alushta, Crimea, USSR and her work was featured as illustrations in a few books. Elaine's art was used on the cover of "For Children Who Were Broken" by Elia Wise. Her work has been shown at the Sacramento International Airport and she was honored to be invited to Santa Marta, Colombia for the Triennial International Aquarella Exhibition. Elaine's art has been featured on many covers of "Inside the City," a Sacramento newspaper. She takes pride in being designated as a "Signature Status" member of both the American Watercolor Society (AWS) and the National Watercolor Society (NWS), which allows her to add NWS & AWS after her signature on her art. Elaine enjoys teaching watercolors to adults and has taught ceramic clay sculpture to local school children.
Additionally, Elaine worked as an art therapist/MFT with a private practice in Sacramento, California for 12 years supporting both children and adult clients with life challenges, such as trauma/abuse, depression, PTSD, and grief/loss. Prior to her practice she worked as a therapist with foster children and in ED school settings. She closed her practice in 2018 to pursue her art full time.
Exhibits & Shows
Solo
Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, CA, 2023 "California Treasures"
ArtHouse on R, Sacramento, CA, 2023 "California Perspectives"
Orland Art Center, Orland, CA, 2020 (2 Artists)
Sparrow Gallery, Sacramento, CA 2019 "Delta Reflections"
The Tong Gallery, Walnut Grove, CA 2015, "Water" 2018
Gallery at 48 Natoma, Folsom, CA 2014 (2 Artists) "Birdseye View"
Bogle Winery, Clarksburg, CA 2011
Art of Java, Fair Oaks, CA 1992
Bargetto Winery, Soquel, CA 1989, 1990, 1991
Zanotto’s, Scotts Valley, CA, 1990
Boulder Creek Country Club, Boulder Creek, CA 1990
County Government Center, Santa Cruz, CA 1990
Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, CA, 1990
Group
ArtHouse, "Small Works BIG Treasures", Sacramento, CA, 2019
Robert Matsui Gallery, "City of Trees" Sacramento City Hall, CA, 2019
Elliott Fouts Gallery, Sacramento, CA 2018
The Tong Gallery, Walnut Grove, CA 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
University Library Gallery, "Delta Forever," California State University Sacramento, 2016
"Delta Forever," Courtland Bank, Courtland, CA, 2015
SMUD Gallery, "AWASH" Sacramento, CA, 2014
SMUD Gallery, "Branching Out" Sacramento, CA, 2012
Open Studio Tour, Sacramento, CA, 2007- 2018
Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento, CA, 2010
20th St. Gallery, Sacramento, CA, 2007, 2008
Bargetto Winery, Soquel, CA 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
Robert Else Gallery, Student show, CSUS, 1991
Quarter Mile Mural, Santa Cruz, CA, 1990
Hearts for the Arts, Santa Cruz, CA, 1988, 1989 & 1990
Juried
"Water + Color" - National Watercolor Exhibit, Davis, CA, 2020
"88th Annual Statewide California Landscape Exhibition," Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA, 2018
"Invitational International Triennial Aquarella Exhibition," Bolivarian Museum, Santa Marta, Colombia, 2018
American Women Artists Spring Online Show, 2018
American Women Artists (AWA) - "Under a Vast Sky", Tucson Desert Art Museum, Arizona, 2017
American Watercolor Society (AWS) "Annual International Exhibition," Salmagundi Club, NYC, 2013, 2015, 2016
"Crocker Kingsley Exhibition," Blueline Gallery, Roseville, CA, 2015 (Juried by Gregory Kondos)
National Watercolor Society (NWS) "91st Annual International Exhibition," 2011
California Watercolor Association (CWA) "42nd Annual National Exhibition," 2011
KVIE Art Auction, Sacramento, CA, 2004, 2006-2011
Tangent Gallery, Sacramento, CA, 2008
California State Fair Fine Art Exhibit, Cal Expo, 2007 - 2009, 2012
Campbell’s Soup Art competition, 1994
Santa Cruz Art League Statewide Show, CA, 1988 & 1990
National Arts for the Parks / Jackson Hole Rotary International Art Exhibit, WY, 1990
Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons Art Competition (WASH), Sacramento Fine Arts Center, CA, 1991
Oceans Festival, Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA, 1990
Santa Cruz County Fine Art Exhibit, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Watsonville, CA, 1987 & 1989
"Watercolor ’89," Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA
Open Studio Tour, Santa Cruz County, CA, 1988 & 1989
"Painting ’88," Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA (Juried by Kenneth Baker, S.F. Chronicle)
Sister City Cultural Art Exchange & Exhibit, Alushta, Crimea, USSR, 1988
Awards
San Francisco Estuary Creative Environmental Award, 2019
2nd Place Artist award
American Women Artists Spring Online Show, 2018
Best Landscape
American Watercolor Society 146th Annual International Exhibition 2013
AWS Bronze Medal of Honor
California State Fair Fine Art Exhibit
Award of Merit, 2008, 2009, 2012 (Juried by Lial Jones, Crocker Art Museum, 2012)
Award of Excellence, 2007
KVIE Art Auction
Juror's Award, 2011 (Juried by Tony Natsoulas)
Special Collection Artist, 2007
First Place, watercolors, 2006 (Juried by Lial Jones, Crocker Art Museum)
Honorable Mention, watercolors, 2004
Campbell’s Soup competition
Honorable Mention, 1994
Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons Art Competition (WASH)
First Place, watercolors, 1991
Santa Cruz County Fine Art Exhibit, Watsonville, CA
Theme Award & Honorable Mention, watercolors, 1989
Honorable Mention, watercolors, 1987
Santa Clara County Art Exhibit, San Jose, CA 1979
Second place - painting
Studio Tours
Sacramento, CA, 2007-2020, 2023
Santa Cruz County, CA 1988 & 1989
Honors & Professional Achievements
American Watercolor Society (AWS)
Signature Status Member since 2016
Art selected for Traveling Exhibit - US 2013 & 2016
National Watercolor Society (NWS)
Signature Status Member since 2011
Art selected for Traveling Exhibit - US
Inside Publications
"Inside the City" cover art Oct. 2006; Jan., May, Nov. 2009; June 2010; Sept. 2011;
Feb. 2013; Sept. 2014; Jan. & Mar. 2016; May 2018; July 2021
Also in a featured artist article Nov. 2009 & March 2016
Desiland Music
CD and music book cover illustration, 1992, Mill Valley, CA
"For Children Who Were Broken"
Book cover illustration, author Elia Wise, 1990, Mill Valley, CA
"Castle on the Prairie"
Historical book illustration, author Lois Harman, 1975, Garden City, KS
Affiliations
American Women Artists (AWA)
Associate Member with Distinction 2017
American Watercolor Society (AWS)
Signature Status Member 2016
National Watercolor Society (NWS)
Signature Status Member 2011
California Watercolor Society (CWS)
Collections - Public & Private
Doris Matsui, US Congress
Finney County Historical Society Museum, Garden City, KS
Kaiser Permanente -
Manteca Lathrop Behavioral Health, Manteca, CA
Manteca MOB, Manteca, CA
Manteca Sierra, Manteca, CA
Modesto Stoddard, Modesto, CA
San Rafael Los Gamos, San Rafael, CA
North Bay Healthcare Medical Center, Fairfield, CA
Propp Christensen Caniglia LLP, Roseville, CA
Rideout Memorial Hospital, Marysville, CA
Sierra Central Credit Union, Northern California
Sutter Tracy Care Center, Tracy, CA
Private Collections throughout US & Internationally
Education
Graphic Arts, AA, West Valley College, Saratoga, CA
Psychology, BA, California State University, Sacramento
Counseling & Art Therapy, MS, California State University, Sacramento