Mitzie Bower
Mitzie Bower was born and raised in the Land of Enchantment. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico and has had a career as a graphic artist for the past 28 years.
At the age of 17, an unfortunate fall from the balance beam paralyzed Mitzie from the shoulders down. Her loss of physical expression evolved into a passion for visual beauty. A prosthetic brace liberates and animates her hands with the graceful dexterity and movement to create vivid imagery.
She seeks the inherent beauty that high temperature heat evokes on the surfaces of wood, leather and gourds. Her Pyrographic skills have been published on the cover of Leichtung Work Shop magazine. She is also fascinated by the charm of fired glaze on ceramic surfaces. Her multiple tile mosaics are exuberant in color and tactile to the touch. It is important to Mitzie that her artwork is as sensuous to the touch as it is to the eye.
Mitzie is noteworthy for painting a 5-foot-tall 7-foot-long life size mold of a horse for the Trail of Painted Ponies. This Painted Pony is lovingly named Wilderness Roundup. Her husband, Tim, was central the success of this project. His ingenuity solved many problems that placed limits on the progress of the Pony. Hoping to communicate the inner connection we share with all living creatures, Mitzie rounded up a dazzling menagerie of animals in a changing seasonal environment. The completed project is a triumph of imagination and ingenuity. Over a year in the making, Wilderness Roundup carries this message: " “Faith. Patience. Time. Follow your dreams, and believe in yourself."
Wilderness Roundup was available as a figurine through the Official Painted Ponies Store, however it is currently SOLD OUT, but limited signed figurines are available at High Desert Art and Frame. “Retired” painted ponies quickly gain value as collector’s items, so this limited edition offer of signed replicas will hold or increase in value over time.