Holladay artist creates unique rock art

Nestled in a quiet corner of a Holladay neighborhood is a driveway entrance bordered by a most unique art piece. On what was once a blank white concrete wall, artist and homeowner Paula Bowman has created beautiful and original artwork made from rocks.

“It’s a passion,” Bowman said, explaining her love of working with the medium. “It’s part of my history, my psyche. As a climber, I was always collecting them. When I couldn’t climb rocks anymore, I decided to play with them.” 

She’s traveled the world and has collected rocks from as far as Tibet and as close to home as the local canyons. Her selection of a rock isn’t predetermined by specific features. Most often,, she just happens upon one and brings it home.

“You don’t choose the rocks. The rocks choose you.” Bowman said.

Each one is carefully cleaned, color sorted, and individually placed on the art she makes. Though the finishing products are stunning, Bowman most enjoys the creative process, finding in it a certain meditation.

She initially began with an outdoor fireplace. When that didn’t work the way she expected, the technique and application process was used to produce artwork on the driveway border. So far, her preparation and patience has paid off.

“It can handle snow, heat, anything. It will be here for a long time.” Bowman said.

Holladay Code Enforcement Officer Doug Brewer saw the border in its beginning.

“I could just tell it would be wonderful,” he said. “That someone would make something beautiful like that is a great addition to any neighborhood. That she uses her time and talents to create that is really neat and certainly exemplary.”

Though the driveway entrance wall is not yet complete, Bowman estimates that by the time she is done the entire project will have taken her approximately three years.

During the winter months when it becomes too cold to work outside, the artistry is brought indoors. The walls in a room of her home are filled with rock designs where if one looks close enough, hidden patterns can be seen in the motif. In addition to producing rock walls, Bowman creates door mats. The art of Rocking (as Bowman’s daughter calls it) also appeals to her daughter, who helps her construct the mats, and has begun to make one of her very own.

It’s Bowman’s hope to eventually start a business selling the mats and creating rock walls for others interested in the art form.