A Formula 1 painting in progress.
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Birgit Owen
Born in Berlin, Germany, Birgit is the daughter of Marlies Peucker Friedrich, a former dancer with the famous Hiller Girls of Germany, and Lothar Friedrich, a publisher of academic literature. As a small chilld, Birgit moved from Berlin to Sarasota, Florida, with her mother and step-father Joe Herman, a European circus performer and acrobatic trainer who worked with the Flying Wallendas and the Hannefords, among other performers.
The circus soon became Birgit's summer home and work environment. After training in acrobatics and juggling, the 10-year-old performed "center ring" with the family, while they traveled and entertained circus, TV and theatre audiences in North America.
The circus business then gave way to the carnival business, as the family purchased kiddie rides, a small side-show and a Monster Fun House. Birgit, with her little sister Mona by her side, got her first camera and started taking pictures of her interesting surroundings.
During her late teens, she stopped traveling to pursue her art and education. After being voted Senior Class President and becoming her high school’s valedictorian, Birgit earned a college degree in Liberal Arts with honors, a motorcycle certificate from the MSF and a private pilot’s license to fly various aircraft including a Great Lakes biplane for aerobatics.
In 1984 Birgit married artist and part-time racer Beacham Owen. At that time, she was a photographer, shooting luxury homes, cityscapes and landscapes for developers and publishing firms. She also did award-winning graphic design, wrote articles for publications, and did architectural renderings in watercolors and acrylics. In the late 1980’s, Birgit began painting florals and Florida water scenes, as well as portraits of children and animals. In her spare time she photographed old buildings and "too many flowers" according to her husband.
While in New York she appeared on NBC’s "Late Show" and discussed photography with David Letterman. Soon after, using her bi-lingual skills and photographic knowledge, Birgit was called upon to assist a German TV crew with a U.S. documentary.
Today Birgit and her husband, Beacham, create art from their Southern California art studio and printing facility. The couple love to ride their sport touring motorcycles in the U.S. and Europe. Birgit especially enjoys visiting her family in the Southeast and in Germany.
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