Rebekah Lowell, author and artist Rebekah Lowell
Rebekah Lowell’s samples of her fabrics. Rebekah Lowell
Artist and author Rebekah Lowell of Biddeford native will be at the Scarborough Town Library Oct. 28 for “A read-aloud and bird-drawing workshop.”
Her deep connection to the natural world has profoundly influenced her artistic journey, Lowell said. “I was born and raised in a field of wildflowers and timothy grass in Biddeford, Maine. That field full of wonder finds its way into my work,” she said.
Lowell’s artistic journey began in her early years. “I began drawing as soon as I could hold a crayon,” she said. “Some of my earliest memories involve drawing behind closet doors or on the edges of bookshelves with chunky, multi-colored crayons. I also would carry a notebook and go outside to draw plants, then look them up in field guides. One of my favorite drawings, and I still have it because my mom saved everything, is a Mallard Duck that I drew in oil pastel on the back of a manilla envelope. I was so proud because I drew the curly tail. I loved drawing ducks as a kid and my love of birds continues to this day. Drawing is how I process the world and it’s interesting how it began early,” Lowell said. Her passion for drawing, evident since childhood, remains a cornerstone of her artistry.
The natural world has consistently served as Lowell’s primary source of inspiration. Growing up in Maine, she had the privilege of immersing herself in the great outdoors, nurturing her curiosity and artistic growth. Her work predominantly features birds, butterflies, plants, and connections between humanity and the wild. Her enduring affection for monarch butterflies, which she has raised for over eight years, unmistakably informs her artwork. “Nature has always been my inspiration and still is. Because I was homeschooled, I was able to spend as much time outside as I wanted to. That nurtured my curiosity and growth as an artist,” Lowell said. Lowell’s paintings, both in acrylic and oil, won the Maine Duck Stamp Contest for four years, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2020. The state issues the stamp the year the painting wins the contest. The proceeds from the sale of the stamp benefit the wetlands conservation in Maine.
“Maine is home, no matter where I’ve been. I feel attached to this landscape, and I don’t feel like the same person when I’m not here,” she said Her connection to her home state resonates deeply in her work, serving as a genuine reflection of her love for her roots.
Lowell utilizes diverse artistic forms and mediums, ranging from the Maine Duck Stamp paintings to children’s books, fine art, and pattern design. Her creations find their way onto an array of products, including notecards, tea towels, stickers, pins, and more. Presently, she is honing her skills in natural science illustration. “I’m working on honing-in, but I love to stay sharp and I’m constantly learning. I’m currently studying natural science illustration.” The community has been wonderful through this journey,” Lowell said.
Lowell’s artistic voyage has been embraced by her community. Her debut middle-grade novel in verse, “The Road to After,” addresses the challenging topic of domestic abuse and received unwavering support from her community. “There have been many times where at book events and pop-up fairs I’ve been choked up or teary eyed because of the encouragement and support,” Lowell said.
In her role as an accomplished artist and nature enthusiast, Lowell shares her knowledge through teaching. She offers classes on a wide range of topics, with a recent focus on nature journaling. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes a deep connection with nature and the translation of these experiences onto journal pages. “I teach about how nature journaling is not about making a pretty picture. It’s about connecting with nature and about sharing your experience of connecting with a phenomenon in nature on the page of a nature journal so you can remember it, and so you can process it better. Nature journaling helps us to be present. It’s about that moment and that feeling, not about creating the perfect drawing,” Lowell said.
Lowell’s journey has been marked by resilience and healing. As a survivor of 10 years of domestic abuse and captivity, she attests that the trauma did not end when she left in 2013. Art and nature have been her steadfast companions in navigating the ongoing challenges. She notes, “Making art and being in nature bring me to my center.” Her creative process and nature journaling provide moments of respite from her worries.
As a child, she spent her days outdoors, reveling in the wonders of the natural world. Lowell’s love for nature has been a constant presence in her life. “I would get my schoolwork done before lunch and spend the rest of the day in the woods and fields. The expanse of rippling grasses, the cozy nooks of trees, the wonder of the river winding around the corner, or the trout lilys that decorated the banks, everything in nature drew me in and I wanted to be in it as much as possible. I made stories and characters up in my head, created forts with my siblings, learned how to navigate from my father and gardened with my mother,” Lowell said
Lowell has more picture books in the pipeline and is offering nature journaling workshops. Her debut fabric collection with PBS Fabrics has recently launched, and her holiday shop is set to open on Nov. 12.
For those interested in staying updated on Lowell’s work or contacting her, her website, www.rebekahlowell.com
Rebekah Lowell will be at the Scarborough Public Library for a special story time featuring her picture book “Catching Flight”, Oct. 28, 1-2 p.m. Following the read-aloud, Lowell will lead a bird-drawing workshop where even the youngest participants will learn how to draw birds and then make up a completely new species. A limited number of books will be available for purchase at the event. Registration is required as space is limited. For more information reach out to Deanna McNamara of the Scarborough Public Library, #207-396-6277 or kids@scarboroughlibrary.org
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