Meet Raina Bowers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raina Bowers.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Hmm, wow I’m not even sure where to start! I grew up in a household that put a lot of emphasis on the arts. I was encouraged to play instruments, I was lucky enough to go to art museums, and I painted all the time. I was even an active theatre and dance kid. However, it was never portrayed as a realistic career or path to take, rather a hobby.

When it came time to start looking at colleges, I was pushed to choose a major like business, or computer engineering. You know, something safe. It felt rather rebellious for me when I chose filmmaking as my area of study. I had really always been the good kid in my family. Or at least I felt like it. The reliable one who was going to get good grades, take care of herself, and always make “good” decisions. For once I wanted to feel impulsive, spontaneous, and unerringly true to myself. I’m so grateful that I did. Through film school I was really able to find my love for storytelling. Immersing myself in the filmmaking world gave me the opportunity to hear, create, and tell some stories that made me feel like the work I was creating would actually have a lasting impact on someone. I also obviously studied a lot of design and composition which I think lead to my love for photography. It’s cliché, but the idea that I get to capture just a single moment in someone’s life, and if I do it right that photo can really speak a thousand words, absolutely makes my heart singe. It’s incredibly gratifying.

There definitely is the perception that every artist has a unique story, and most of the time people infer that we all have major struggles, that we can’t be artistic without an interestingly dark past. Don’t get me wrong, I have had some incredible struggles in my life and a lot to fight against, but I don’t think it’s those stories or circumstances that make me interesting. I think what makes me interesting is the way I respond to those circumstances.

Rather than including some stories that may be too personal I’ll use this small example: At 17 I found out that I had developmental issues with my hips. This caused severe pain and tearing of both my labrums. Suddenly I couldn’t participate in not only certain artistic endeavors like dance or theatre, but some normal daily functions. There were some days where I genuinely just couldn’t walk or would have to use crutches. It’s a chronic issue I will have for the rest of my life. When you’re an impressionable high schooler, it’s extremely easy to let situations like that completely discourage you. And it did, of course. The thing is, no one likes to be unhappy. And when you realize your unhappiness doesn’t actually have to be affected by the unfortunate situation; when you realize you can just decide to do something about it – that is extremely empowering. I ended up trying to find ways to fully embrace that part of me. Into my college years I began collecting eclectic canes and using those instead of crutches as I walked across campus at ASU. I loved having that as an extension of myself. It was a form of expression, a conversation starter, and also occasionally just rad fashion statement.

I realize this has been a very long-winded statement so far, but I guess all in all how I try and set myself apart as an artist is my perseverance and ability to turn all bad situations into motivation and positivity. With all due respect to my artistic peer who incorporate grim and emotional times from their life in their work; I have to say; a lot of the work I do is very close with other people and clients and I don’t want to be the moody artist who comes off a little too serious about her work. I don’t want to use dark times in my life as reason to be artistic. I want to use magical, cinematic, exciting moments as motivation to create, express, and share with people and clients.

Being on my own since I was 18, it’s incredible feeling to be for once in my life be only working one job and also have my own business. Having that independency and supporting myself is a really big goal of mine that I’m proud to be accomplishing as an artist. And once again, I feel that it’s because I focus on persevering and turning bad situations into good ones.

I’m not sure how to fluidly include this thought – but a big part of my artistry and the work I do is being a woman. I have been in several situations in set work or video gigs where I was overlooked or acted towards in a condescending manner due to being a woman. I am constantly underestimated whether people realize they are doing it or not. I have been ignored, passed up for positions, or purely been spoken down to and instead of getting angry I decide to use it as motivation to work even harder. I work my ass of and instead of trying to shove it in the face of those who did me wrong, I just move right along and see if they notice. I also do my very best to use any success I have as a jumping off point to then create other opportunities and spaces for other female artists. I think it’s important to lift other females up. I of course life up my male peers as well if they are doing exceptional work, I don’t want to exclude talented and genuine artist regardless of gender. But there isn’t anything quite like working on an all women shoot or a female driven film set. It’s truly invigorating.

Please tell us about your art.
As a photographer, videographer, and filmmaker I like to sum up my work by calling myself a storyteller. Regardless of what medium of art I am working in, my focus is always the story. I constantly ask myself what the message of my work is because the last thing I want to do is put something out into the world that has no real meaning or is simply carless.

When someone looks at a photo I have taken, a video I produced, or a film I made, I want them to walk away feeling connected. Whether it’s a photo from a fashion shoot, a short documentary on cooking, or a video from a new couple’s wedding – I want that person to feel connected to that story. I’m not necessarily trying to move mountains or change the world in one swing, I am simply attempting to affect a single person’s day in a positive way. Whether that be by opening their eyes to a new idea, inspiring change, or warming their heart I’m happy.

You should know that all my work is intentional. I think being a woman influences my work a lot and I put a lot of effort into making sure I am telling or attempting to tell the stories of all different kinds of people. Gender, Sexuality, Ethnicity, Religion etc. Diversity is so valuable to our world and it would be a shame to miss out on other perspectives and narratives.

We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
If you are feeling lonely as an artist I definitely suggest using social media as a way to connect. I know that many people have reservations when it comes to social media because it can certainly be unhealthy, but I have met some of the most incredible and motivating people through platforms like Instagram.

A big thing is to shake that feeling and that idea that reaching out to people, calling them, emailing them, or DMing them is awkward or uncomfortable. We are social creatures and feed positively from interactions with other people! Get over that discomfort and challenge yourself to ask other artists, who might be strangers, to grab coffee with you. Rack their brain and find new ideas for collaborations.

I would also suggest sifting through Facebook and searching for events that interest you. There are comedy shows all over the valley that are incredible, fun, and open places to meet people. There are places like Wasted Ink Zine Distro in Phoenix that cater to new writers, photographers, painters etc. who don’t feel like they have a community or a safe space to display their art. Go to an open mic, go to a local play, go to an art gallery. Community is such a big inspiration for artwork and you don’t want to withhold yourself from that.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
A lot of my work is on my website rainavirginia.com. On there I have my photography, some video work, and my blog (I am not a seasoned writer, so please don’t judge haha). I also have a lot on there from my travel, which is very important to me.

I am an active user of Instagram (@rainavirginia) and love using that platform to share my work and day to day life as a freelance artist. I think it’s a wonderful way for visual artists to connect and have a community.

You can support my work by hiring me! Haha, I think it is common for artists of all media to be slightly taken advantage of and not properly valued. I get asked a lot to do free work or to ‘collaborate’ on projects that really are just trying to exhaust my skills. In the beginning it’s easy to say yes to those things because I needed to build a portfolio or I didn’t really feel like I had an option but I learned that no one will value or validate you until you start to value and validate yourself.

You can also support my work by sharing it. If there a photo or video I created that you felt connected, empowered, or moved by at all, please share it and express what about it stimulated you. I love getting to hear different perspectives and seeing what it was about something I created that was exciting for something else. Bridging different people and ideas together is what it’s all about.

Contact Info:

• Website: rainavirginia.com
• Email: rainavirginiamedia@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainavirginia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainavirginiamedia/

Image Credit:
Michaela Emerson
Anna Nygren

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