One of the people I met was David Bowman, an LDS artist and author. Today's article is my interview with this wonderfully talented brother.
Q: David, tell us how you got started.
A: Ever since I can remember, I have loved to draw. All through my childhood and teen-age years drawing was one of my favorite things to do in my free time. I think most young kids feel that way about drawing, but then they reach an age where other interests take precedence -- and the art falls by the wayside. I guess I never reached that age.
Q: Where did you receive your training and education?
A: I went to BYU and received a bachelor's degree in illustration. It was the first place I felt like I actually learned how to further my abilities as an artist. Everything up to that point was pretty much self-taught.
After graduation, I actually went on to be a full-time seminary teacher for several years. Having worked with the youth as an EFY counselor and in other youth-oriented settings during my college years, I realized that I had two passions: creating art and teaching -- especially young people.
About four years ago, there came a point in my seminary teaching where I decided to take a break from the classroom and devote myself full-time to my art. But as I think about my motivation to do art, I've realized I am (still) a teacher first and an artist second. I love to teach and I use my art as a medium to enhance my teaching. I don't really create art just for art's sake, but rather to assist me in teaching something of value to another person.
