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Biography

Addie Boswell is an artist and writer living in Portland but grown in Iowa. She specializes in community-based public art a .. nd picture books that focus on family, community, and the creative power of children. Recent titles include The Snow Dancer, Five on the Bed, and the "In Motion" series that starts with Go, Bikes, Go! As a visiting artist at schools, libraries, and community programs around the Northwest, she knows that creativity can empower and improve the lives of every age. When not working from her home studio, she is probably building scrappy furniture, filching drawings from her five-year-old, reading when she should be sleeping, and waiting for the rain to return.Addie Boswell is an artist and writer specializing in murals and picture books. She believes in the imagination of children, the necessity of duct tape, and the power of art to connect communities and otherwise improve the world. 

Artist Statement

My faith is in people. There is always extraordinariness in ordinary life, and there is always a story to tell. The stories I find myself returning to are about family, shared work, growth, the seasons, and a sense of community or place. Children are a constant source of inspiration. They have inherent creative power, raw courage to experiment, and they ask astonishing — and altogether ordinary — questions. Much of my artwork has a playful, childlike exuberance to it, and often my stories come directly from things kids say or do.

Originally an oil painter and printmaker, I am drawn to the disciplined process of color and layer but the spirit of recycled and street art. I also have a strong practical bent that wants creativity to be useful. These are the reasons I gravitate to public art and picture books, both of which make art accessible — imperative really —  to everyday life. Both forms allow me to meet people of all ages and backgrounds and chase ideas through place and time. And I get to read like a fiend and call it “research.”

Hire Me

for an author visit

With twenty years' experience teaching inside schools, libraries, and community programs, my favorite form of lessons are hands-on and experiential. My goal is to inspire and empower your students to create their own stories, and to leave your classroom with lessons you can replicate.

or a community mural

My motto is "the more hands on the wall, the better" and I work collaboratively with your neighborhood, school, organization, or art committee to create art that reflects your community and that answers your specific needs. Every project is different, and yet the outcome is always the same: art connects and art empowers. I've seen shared creative work elevate the spirit and bring people together in a way that nothing else can.

My mural philosophy is "the more hands on the wall, the better," and I typically work with partner artists, community groups, students and volunteers in the process. I especially love projects that intersect at useful and compelling, and much of my public art has a secondary purpose: distracting hospital patients, providing directions, or simply  bringing the community together to create lasting positive change. You'll find these in libraries, hospitals, and community centers around the Northwest. See the full list here.
Dear Miss Addie, Thank you for teaching us about art. I liked making the magic wishing doors.
​Geovanni, age 6
Just a quick note to thank you for the "Adventures in Painting" class. This was a terrific class and Addie was very encouraging. Being in this group of new friends has motivated me to take art lessons..for the first time in my life!
 Betty, aged 60's
The story The Rain Stomper was great! I liked the words bang walla bang bash! I liked it when she stomped really really hard! 
Nick, age 8
Besides multiple school districts around the country, other organizations I have worked with include: