We had the good fortune of connecting with Becca Bowlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Becca, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Achieving a work life balance has been a work in progress for years. Gone are the days where I would brag about working 60 hour weeks, you can get money back but never time. These days I work 32 hours and not a minute more and I’ve never been happier. Four days of work, three days of leisure is a magical recipe for feeling productive, social and fulfilled.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started out using art as a form of self-care when I was a young social worker nearly 15 years ago. I used to make stained glass pieces and gift them to people who helped my clients when I worked at a domestic violence shelter…judges, SANE nurses, stalking detectives, basically anyone who helped protect and advocate for my survivors.

Later I was able to transition to selling my art as a side business, and picked up a variety of odd art jobs along the way. I worked on murals, sold oil portraits in galleries, opened an Etsy shop, traveled to art fairs and shows. The art community is wonderful, artists are an eclectic mix from all walks of life.

These days I work doing art therapy with teenagers at a residential facility and nothing has brought me greater joy. Working with young folks and showing them how to use art to process grief, express themselves, heal a wound or mock a foe has been the most rewarding chapter yet. I don’t know what happens next, but I know for now, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Chicago is my favorite city in the world and has a neighborhood something for everyone. I’d do brunch and shopping in Andersonville, lunch and art crawl in Pilsen, dinner and dancing downtown. We have incredible museums, a giant public beach, botanical gardens and parks and a restaurant from nearly every country in the world.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to Black women who have constantly fought against the systems of patriarchy, systemic racism, oppression and violence with little aid or help from society. They deserve credit for doing the work of mutual aid and community care, and are constantly teaching us new things if we are willing to listen. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by intelligent, business savvey, hilarious Black women in both my personal life and work colleagues.

Website: joandeart.com

Instagram: @joan_de_art

Twitter: @joan_de_art

Facebook: Joan de Art LLC

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