This is Rob Brough, Zions Bank, speaking on business.

Paint made its earliest appearance thousands of years ago. According to the National Paint & Coating Association, cave dwellers used crude paints to etch visual depictions of their lives in ancient rock dwellings. Many of those images survive today. This just shows how painting can be a great way to capture the culture of people or a point in time. Just ask Eric Dowdle.

Eric is one of Utah's most well-known folk artists. He believes folk art is about capturing stories of people, places or points in history, and the best folk art prominently features people. He has been successful in selling not only his original paintings but also byproducts such as calendars, books, puzzles, greeting cards and even umbrellas. This month Eric's company, Dowdle Folk Art, has sold its millionth puzzle through one of its distributors. Quite an accomplishment!

Last fall, Eric brought Steve Pemberton, a certified public accountant and long-time financial professional, on board to help grow his Lindon-based company. Steve has extensive experience helping small business owners increase the success of their company. During Christmas 2009, Dowdle Folk Art sold its works in 150 Costco warehouses throughout the West. By year end, Steve anticipates Dowdle Folk Art will have nationwide distribution.

Eric's work covers everything from Utah-specific subjects to famous cityscapes to national parks. He feels lucky to have the chance to visit "awesome places and talk to awesome people" and says his wife, Deb, is a major reason for his success. Last year he did an African series for the non-profit In Our Own Quiet Way foundation. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the work will go to the foundation, which offers assistance to residents of Kakamega, a district in Kenya.

Until recently, Steve says Dowdle Folk Art was primarily a Utah-focused and known company, but it's now on the brink of international growth.

For Zions Bank, I'm Rob Brough. I'm speaking on business.

Dowdle Folk Art
1280 W. 200 South
Lindon, UT 84042
801-785-1123
www.dowdlefolkart.com

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