Jonathan Bowling—Metal Sculptor

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            Jonathon Bowling is a local sculptor and metal worker located right here in downtown Greenville.  He makes eye-catching metal sculptures that add interest and intrigue to any area of your home, from a living room wall to the front yard.  You may have seen his pieces in front of his studio on Dickenson Avenue.  His art ranges from small metal faces made out of wrenches, to huge guitars made out of pipes, old wire and spoons.  Everything is made out of pieces of metal that he has found and put together.  Jonathon takes common, everyday tools or springs or random lawn mower blades and creates something completely unique and amazing.  Old rusty pieces of junk that someone threw out become the focal point of a stunning fish or bird or a creative face. 

            Jonathon grew up in Richmond, Kentucky but when he was sixteen his Dad joined the Medical Corps and moved his family to Brussels, Belgium.  Jonathon spent his last two years of high school in Belgium, but came back to the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate work.  He graduated with a degree in Sculpture and Art History before moving to Greenville in 1996.  Jonathon finished his Master of Fine Arts at ECU in 1999 and presented his Thesis piece in the Gray Gallery at the Leo Jenkins School of Fine Arts.

            After graduating, Jonathon worked on his sculpture pieces from his front yard for about three years before moving into his current studio space on Dickenson Avenue.  Like a lot of artists, working with the public and selling his art can be difficult and sometimes frustrating.  He said, “I’d rather make something and it hang around for a couple years then sell, rather than make some commissioned pelican and them not like it.  Or deliver the thing and they decided it’s too much and they don’t want to pay.  Now I’ve got this weird thing they wanted done.”  It’s not all bad though and he says, “There are such things as a fun commission.”

            Jonathon’s work is definitely interesting and different people view his art in different ways.  What may look like a large piece appropriate over a grand fireplace, some people would use as decorative bars over their window.  Jonathon has done pieces for both.  When asked about what gets him excited about his metal art, he replied, “What I really enjoy is laying it out.  Getting the idea to make it into that thing, whatever it may be.  ‘Oh, hey, this is going to go here.’  It’s about making it.” 

If you are interested in viewing Jonathon’s work you can stop by 811 Dickenson Ave. to peer in his windows to get a taste of what is style is all about.  He doesn’t keep regular hours, but you can call (252) 752-8852 and make an appointment with the artist himself.  For more pictures of his work, visit www.gvegasmagazine.com.