Hands Like hers
lilah bowers
This collection is dedicated to my Mum, Heather Bowers, as a means to thank her for the way that she raised me and my sisters. Choosing to raise us as a stay-athome Mum meant sacrificing a ‘nice’ house, and the more expensive things that others may have had. In reflection, we were the richest family around because of the love we shared.
I wouldn’t be where I am today–pursuing my creative passions–if it wasn’t for the generations of women in my family behind me. This collection serves to present domestic and maternal creativity as a means for inspiration and learning beyond the mundane.
Mum, thank you for allowing me to create, and thank you for believing in me.
Painting Oil on Canvas, Mary Flukinger, ~1970
My grandfathers mother, Mary, was an avid oil painter. Growing up, each wall of my home was adorned with the works of M. Flukinger. She worked in oils and most commonly created landscape pieces reflecting the seasons.
Bunny Ceramic Mold, Denise Rostron Flukinger, ~1999
My grandmother, Denise, had an affinity for ceramics, so much so that her washing machine was replaced by a kiln in my mother’s early childhood. This bunny appeared around the house during the spring months, and inspired further editions toward other holiday celebrations, including a 3ft ceramic Christmas tree.
Every artist deserves to mark their your work. Here, Denise rightfully captured her authority on her ceramic piece, establishing her work as both worthy and notable.
Christmas Stockings Cross Stitching, Denise Rostron Flukinger, 1982
Delicately hand-stitched, these stockings hung over the mantel of my grandmother’s home each Christmas time. One for each child.
Christmas Stocking Cross Stitching, Heather Flukinger Bowers, 2003
Like her mother, mine chose to handcraft our familial Christmas stockings, too. This stocking, mine, was made in 2003 when our family was only 3. 2 more were stitched in a short while for my two younger sisters.
Christmas Dress Cotton, Heather Flukinger Bowers, 2006
Christmas Dress Cotton, Heather Flukinger Bowers, 2009
Festivities were often marked by a handcrafted gift. These dresses served as Christmas card attire and cookie-bake party uniform. 3 editions of dresses were hand sewn by my mother.
Santa’s Mail Felt and Sequin, Denise Rostron Flukinger, 2012
Drawing from her earlier stitching works, Denise found felt work. Santa’s Mail was gifted to my mother in 2012 as a means to collect Christmas cards posted across the Pacific Ocean, from Texas to New Zealand.
Barbie Fall 2009 Felt and Sequin, Lilah Bowers, 2009
My mum sewing is one of my earliest memories. Inspired by her work with a machine, I crafted my own ‘collection’ of dresses using fabric and thread drapery to create a Barbie runway show. As a child, I was never drawn to playing imaginary games–like playing with my Barbie dolls– instead, I would craft or create, like this.
CC’s Quilt Fabric Selection, Stitching, Heather Flukinger Bowers, 2010
Beyond the needle, my Mum was an avid quilter. She made over 7 quilts in the span of me and my sisters’ childhood. Often given as gifts or as a means to recycle scraps of fabric, my Mum was rarely detached from her sewing machine. This quilt was crafted over a year for my youngest sister., Claire (CC). Each fairy panel is slightly different, reflecting the whimsy personality captured and employed.
Pillow Quilt and Stitching, Lilah Bowers, 2011
Old enough to be curious about running a sewing machine by myself, I asked to use my mum’s Singer for the first time. Inspired by her quilts, I begun by stitching a central panel before then constructing my first pillow. I distinctly remember learning that everything needed to be ‘inside out’ for the seams to lay flat on the front.
Flower Pots Acrylic on Canvas, Lilah Bowers, 2012
Inspired by Mary, I was inspired to create a large scale painting as part of a school fundraiser. After 8 weeks of coaching, my acrylic painting taught me that paint is not permanent, and mistakes allow for experimentation.
Chorus Box Spray Paint, Acrylic Paint on Electricity ‘Box’, Lilah Bowers, 2019
Becoming more confident, and more recognized for my artwork, I was approached by the Marlborough Council and asked to brighten a popular intersection with an artwork on an electricity box. With the help of the same teacher who guided my Flower Pot painting, we completed this public work over a weekend. In the years following, I was asked to paint another box, this time as a solo venture. Now, my work lives on in the town I grew up in, 3000 miles away.
Painting Portfolio Pencil, Acrylic Paint, Collage on Paper, Lilah Bowers, 2021
My final Painting portfolio submitted to NCEA Level 3, earning a final Excellence grade and and the top of the class cohort, marking my final comprehensive project as a student at Marlborough Girls’ College.
SpeakSign Portfolio Excerpt, Adobe Suite, Lilah Bowers, 2021
My final Design portfolio submitted to NCEA Level 3, earning a final Excellence grade and the top of the class cohort, marking my first and final comprehensive design project as a Student at Marlborough Boys’ College. SpeakSign additionally served as my application to UT Austin’s Design program, securing me a spot at a school that was never in reach.
Te Wairau Magazine Adobe Suite, Lilah Bowers, 2021
Serving as a yearbook for Marlborough Girls’ College. I was asked by staff to design a cover and assist a larger design agency with page layouts for a magazine which was distributed free of cost to all students and staff at the school. This book sparked a new passion for type and layout design, as well as digital illustration. This was also my first professional experience alongside an agency, sparking the idea that creativity could lead to a real career.
Pink Party Shirt Adobe Suite, Lilah Bowers, 2025
As the Marketing Director of my sorority, I am able to blend my love for fashion and design. Reflecting on my mother handcrafting my clothes as a child, now I am able to experience the same sense of pride when I see my sorority sisters wear my designs.
