UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lightning Rod Gallery is pleased to present the paintings of the late Shela Bowen, with a reception planned for the show this Saturday, Oct. 13.

The reception for the 25 cat portraits will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the gallery, 9475A Main St., Upper Lake.

Bowen is represented by her work and will be there in spirit. Anyone interested in the indomitable power of art should see the show, which is on display now and will be up until Nov. 1.
     
Bowen’s 25 cat portraits currently showing at the gallery exemplify the genre of  “outsider art.”

The portraits range from highly observed to semi-abstract and each one captures the spirit of the individual cat. Together they have a presence that is marvelous in its description of one woman’s devotion to cats and to painting.

The paintings are framed in an eclectic manner that only enhances the total impact of the group. Each painting is titled with the name of the cat and each signed by Shela, using her maiden name of Bowen.

The simplicity and flattened space that is typical of outsider art, coupled with her devotion to a single subject, imbue Bowen’s paintings with a strong emotional impact.

Bowen took up painting in the 1980s and learned from her sister, Carolyn Hawley, an accomplished painter, pianist, composer, and writer who lives here in Lake County and has shown widely in the area.

The sisters were two of four born in La Crosse, Wis.

Bowen is described by her sister as having been a gifted ballet dancer, music lover, hard worker and, needless to say, very fond of cats.

Bowen married Jon Soderlund and together they made their permanent home in Jacksonville, Ore. She and Jon owned an antique and collectibles shop there and she enjoyed running the shop and purchasing and refinishing their finds while living a quiet life among their many cats.

Hours at Lightning Rod Gallery are Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call Susan Saunders at 707-275-8018 or 415-254-1846, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

You can also “like” the gallery on Facebook or visit out the gallery at www.lightningrodgallery.tumblr.com .