Loy Allen Bowlin
Encyclopedia
Loy Allen Bowlin also known as The Original Rhinestone Cowboy, was an outsider artist from McComb, Mississippi
. His artwork largely included bejeweling his clothing, Cadillac, home and even his dentures with thousands of rhinestone
s. Bowlin's life and work have been acclaimed by various outsider art critics and periodicals including Raw Vision
.
After his death, Bowlin's Mississippi
home, the Beautiful Holy Jewel Home of the Original Rhinestone Cowboy, was acquired by the Kohler Foundation, Inc. and was moved to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center
in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
, where it is on permanent display.
My paw paw, by coincidence, ended up renting an old, rundown house to an artist named Paul Maurer. Paul used to assist Rhinestone with his outfits and other art.
Paul had found the old house that my paw paw was fixn' up, assumed it was abandoned and just moved in. Paul was basically your average hippie at this time.
Paw Paw would never turn anyone away so they worked out a deal (probably never paid a dime). Rhinestone and Paul became good friends to me (5 years old) and my paw paw.
In time and because I was so young, I lost track of both Rhinestone and Paul.
I later found that Paul has since published a mildly successful book. Marbling: A Complete Guide to Creating Beautiful Patterned Papers and Fabrics [Paperback]Diane Vogel Maurer (Author), Paul Maurer (Author)
Last I heard from Paul himself in a letter he was living a peaceful, secluded life out west and is still working as an artist. He was teaching art with a focus on wood-block prints.
By John L. Carlisle
McComb, Mississippi
McComb is a city in Pike County, Mississippi, United States, about south of Jackson. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 13,644. It is the principal city of the McComb, Mississippi, Micropolitan Statistical Area...
. His artwork largely included bejeweling his clothing, Cadillac, home and even his dentures with thousands of rhinestone
Rhinestone
A rhinestone or paste or diamante is a diamond simulant made from rock crystal, glass or acrylic.Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river Rhine. The availability was greatly increased around 1775 when the Alsatian jeweller Georg Friedrich Strass had the idea to imitate...
s. Bowlin's life and work have been acclaimed by various outsider art critics and periodicals including Raw Vision
Raw Vision
Raw Vision is a British magazine devoted to outsider art and edited by John Maizels. It features content about the subject worldwide.-History:...
.
After his death, Bowlin's Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
home, the Beautiful Holy Jewel Home of the Original Rhinestone Cowboy, was acquired by the Kohler Foundation, Inc. and was moved to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is a not-for-profit art museum located in downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The original house at the facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the John Michael Kohler House...
in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
-Airport:Sheboygan is served by the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, which is located several miles from the city.-Roads:Interstate 43 is the primary north-south transportation route into Sheboygan, and forms the west boundary of the city. U.S...
, where it is on permanent display.
More
In the early to mid 70's, my great paw paw (Jesse Carlisle) and I used to walk to the Sunshine Square in downtown McComb, Mississippi and visit with "Rhinestone". He was quite a character. He would dance for you and tell you all about his bejeweled clothes, glasses, teeth, etc.My paw paw, by coincidence, ended up renting an old, rundown house to an artist named Paul Maurer. Paul used to assist Rhinestone with his outfits and other art.
Paul had found the old house that my paw paw was fixn' up, assumed it was abandoned and just moved in. Paul was basically your average hippie at this time.
Paw Paw would never turn anyone away so they worked out a deal (probably never paid a dime). Rhinestone and Paul became good friends to me (5 years old) and my paw paw.
In time and because I was so young, I lost track of both Rhinestone and Paul.
I later found that Paul has since published a mildly successful book. Marbling: A Complete Guide to Creating Beautiful Patterned Papers and Fabrics [Paperback]Diane Vogel Maurer (Author), Paul Maurer (Author)
Last I heard from Paul himself in a letter he was living a peaceful, secluded life out west and is still working as an artist. He was teaching art with a focus on wood-block prints.
By John L. Carlisle