Lyle Bowen: Botanical Artist

Lyle Bowen has always been a prolific artist, even back in elementary school. He loved to draw flowers and even started collecting them as early as the fifth grade. 

“Flowers stay still. They don't move. They're a good model.”

Having been inspired by the way his plant collection would become interconnected, Lyle started a series of paintings called Botanical Puzzle Pieces. In these works, he utilizes puzzle pieces to create unique patterning in the plants he’s portraying. 

“I use the puzzle pieces as background foliage, whereas I didn't have to paint individual leaves.”

As he is now retired, Lyle takes a page out of Van Gogh’s book in appreciating the little things in life. 

“I have plants, I have art, and I have nature and I have poetry. So my life is pretty much complete.”

A film by Jacopo Fantastichini.