Paralyzed by polio at 30, but that didn't make him give up his beloved painting

Paralyzed by polio at 30, but that didn't make him give up his beloved painting

Joe Bowler, USA, (1928-2016)—ArtYouhua—Joe Bowler (1928-2016) had a long and prolific career as a commercial illustrator and magazine story illustrator. He lives in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and works almost exclusively as a portrait painter. Bowler, 18, sought career opportunities while training at the Art Students League in New York City. The aspiring artist apprenticed at the studio of illustration and advertising agency Charles E. Cooper, where his task was to assist artists in mixing paint and cleaning brushes. Inadvertently, from the top of a pile of documents, his work caught the attention of Cooper Studio artist Coby Whitmore. Whitmore asked to bring one of Bowler's illustrations to a friend of the Cosmopolitan, who then offered the budding artist a staggering $1,000. As an apprentice, he was used to earning $35 a week. In 1948 Bowler got a "real" artist job at Cooper Studios. Like his contemporaries Coby Whitmore, Joe DeMers, Jon Whitcomb, and many others employed by the studio, his career took off quickly. It was also during his time in the studio that he met and married his wife Marilyn, a student at Parsons School of Design, where he eventually taught. Bowler went on to create work for the Cosmopolitan and was hired to create illustrations for McCall's, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, The Ladies' Home Journal, and The Saturday Evening Post. He became a regular at Pepsi and Bibb Sheets. When the United States entered World War II, Bowler, like many of his fellow artists, contributed his talents to the war. He designed recruiting posters for the U.S. Air Force. Tragedy occurred in 1958, when Bowler contracted polio and became paralyzed during a trip to France. Polio initially affected all his muscles and he spent seven years working with physiotherapist Henry Stano. Although the recovery process was long and painful, after about three months Joe resumed using his hands and arms and resumed his work as an illustrator, which was painting. This was a turning point in Joe's life, not only in his physical abilities but also in his attitude and approach to painting. Joe Bowler's reputation has led him to paint portraits of many influential figures of the 20th century, including Ross Kennedy, Jolie, and David Eisenhower. He has been honored by many professional organizations, including the Art Directors Club of New York and the Society of Artists of New York, who named him Artist of the Year in 1967. In 1952, the Society of Illustrators inducted him into the organization, and in 1992, he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. The Air Force Academy Collection in Colorado Springs houses his work. On November 14, 2016, Joe Bowler died at his home in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

(Responsible editor：Dark)