Member Profile of the Month

 

Patty Bowman Kingsley: Creativity Forged in Faith

by Lauren Walker, October 2025

It’s evident when you speak with Patty Bowman Kingsley that she creates from her heart and soul. She has a longstanding connection with creativity and her connection goes beyond physical. It is a spiritual experience that allows her to connect with and lift those in her company.

Although her creative journey started young, it wasn’t until her later years she discovered her true purpose, “I realized that the best use of my history and personal agency is to lead community transformation in arts and culture nationwide through creating, activating, mentoring, and publishing.” Her goal is not just to create, but to help create a better world through active leadership.

Just like keys on the piano, “while only one inch deep, create a dynamic range of sound and experience unique to my personhood in creative expression.” Faith plays a large part in her life and clearly represented in her art. Patty serves the community in whatever way is needed. This means creating with a multitude of mediums and working independently or collaboratively.

She admits that sketching and portraiture are her first love. Patty has been working on a three-year project called, “Beauty in the Ashes” which has been her focus.

“Now, as I explore sculpture within that theme and the complexity of abstraction, my heart is whole. I may return to realism and portraiture, yet I love the challenge of the work in front of me.” Her hard work paid off when her piece, “Vessel of Honour” was awarded at the OAA Annual Juried show earlier this year.

It is clear that Patty Bowman Kingsley is a force for good and her creativity is forged in faith. I wish I could dedicate more space and time to encapsulating everything I learned about her. She is dedicated to her practice and not only that, the success of others. The clearest lesson I learned is the value placed in community. “Create, learn, volunteer, and support those you want to learn from, in what they are doing. What is caught and taught by them will transform your practice.” It is by working together we can transform the world around us.

PATRICIA BOWMAN KINGSLEY

 

Betty McGowan: An Intuitive Artist

by Olivia Morin, September 2025

  • I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Betty McGowan. She won an honorable mention in the 2025 OAA Juried Show in the Non Objective Abstract category.

    As an intuitive abstract artist, much of her work does not have a planned result. “I will choose my colours and a mood or a feeling that I wish to capture. The painting may end up portraying this mood. As the process goes, the direction can change on a whim. “Partway through the process, the painting will speak to me.” The painting may start one way and end up quite different than what was anticipated. The mood in her painting changes as her feelings reveal themselves.

    As many artists do, they change course, “I started out working in watercolour, but now I work exclusively in acrylic. Having experience with watercolour, I love the look and feel of the paint mingling on the canvas, creating the wonderful fusion of two colours.” Recently, she has been exploring something new. Betty is moving away from her usual spontaneous style to a multiple-layered style. “I am still attempting to keep the freshness and energy I love so much.”

    Her words of encouragement are simple and clear, “Try it, try it, try it!” The goal is to learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to experiment. “Mix, mix, mix those colors and then try them out on paper or canvas to see what they really look like in action!” It’s important to note that in the process of experimenting, you’re going to make mistakes. “Take these “failures” as a sign of progress.”

    It's clear that Betty finds the joy in spontaneity. The lesson is to let the feelings flow off your paintbrush and onto canvas.

    Thank you Betty McGowan for sharing your journey!