Spotlight Artist

Sanah Brown-Bowers

MFA Annual
Artist profile photo

Covenant

Bride and groom holding hands in ornate round red frame, blue and gold rays behind them.

acrylic and oil paint with collage elements on wood panel in a shadowbox frame

Robo Nana

Colorful humanoid sculpture with butterfly wings, glasses, striped legs, and bags on arms.

acrylic and spray paint on wood, with collage and assemblage elements in the round

Wisdom

Colorful mixed-media artwork with a draped fabric, featuring a central figure and vibrant patterns.

acrylic and oil paint, screen-printed fabric, and mixed media on wood panel in a shadowbox frame

Featured in New American Paintings1 / 3

Artist Statement

 Sparked in high school by the photography of Gordon Parks, my art is driven by a lifelong passion for portraiture and realism. Over the past 25 years, I have fused photography and painting to create portraits that incorporate color, pattern, and fabric as integral elements.

Family is at the heart of my work, blending my personal experiences with a whimsical, maximalist approach. My art celebrates everyday family moments, reflecting universal stories that connect us all. I combine realism with fantastical elements such as cartoons, graphic text, and memories, inviting viewers to engage with their own experiences.

Through mixed-media, collage, film, and sound, I craft family altars as sanctuaries for reflection. These pieces honor ancestors and offer viewers a connection with their personal stories. My work challenges traditional portrayals of people of color, focusing on Black joy, empowerment, and unity, rather than trauma. My goal is to uplift and inspire, offering hope, healing, and connection through vibrant, dynamic artwork.

Discover more artists from the MFA Annual

THE MAGAZINE

Explore our magazine to discover exceptional artists

Open magazine with text, modern illustrations, and a list of artists on a pink background.
View issues

Call for Artists

Submit your work for consideration

New American Paintings is a juried exhibition-in-print and digital, presenting the work of 40 emerging artists in each issue.

View competitions

Your gateway to new art

Discover tomorrow's art stars, today

Two books on a wooden table with a modern decorative sculpture in the background.

PRINT + EARLY ACCESS DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

$179/YEAR

DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

$99/YEAR OR $10/MONTH

Each issue of New American Paintings features forty artists selected through our juried competitions—presented in a beautifully curated, full-color publication. Subscribers receive six issues per year, plus exclusive online access to current and past editions. Are you a collector? Consider our premium subscription and receive our museum-quality printed publication + access to each new digital issue two weeks before its general release.