Works by Sparta artist Cynthia Bowles on display through March 25

Newton - Art works by Cynthia Bowles of Sparta will be on display through March 25 at the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council, 9 Moran St., Newton. Bowles, an author, illustrator and professional portrait artist, is the current “artist of the month” selected by the council. On display are 12 works by Bowles done in watercolor, oil and pastel, plus a children’s book and CD for sale. The Bowles exhibit is the first in a series of special monthly exhibits sponsored by the gallery promoting a Sussex County resident artist each month. Born in New Zealand, Bowles received early art training from her mother, also a portrait artist, and lived and worked in the studio of her teacher, Alexander Fraser, leading New Zealand sculptor and wood carver. Her lifetime study in fine art has included extensive instruction with professional artists at NYU, the New School and the China Institute, and for 16 years at the Art Student League. Bowles has memberships in the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, American Artists Professional League, and National Arts and is a life member of the Art Student League. She is also is a past board member of both the Fine Arts Society and the Art Student League. Bowles works in watercolors and has done landscapes, florals, the human form and Chinese brush technique. In oils, she has worked in portraiture, landscape, still life and compositional study. As a student of literature at NYU and the New School, she wrote a novel and short stories. She has both written and illustrated children’s books. “Childhood itself is elusive,” she said recently. “A ‘special moment’ or ‘look’ captured in a portrait becomes a treasure passed through the family for generations.” The multi-talented Bowles works from life or photographs when doing portrait work. Exhibit hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For information, call 973-383-0583 or send e-mail to arts-heritage@mercurylink.net.