Newton - Cynthia Bowles of Sparta, author, illustrator, and professional portrait artist, is presenting her talents throughout December at the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council, 9 Moran St., Newton. She will be available by appointment only for portrait commissions, done in Conte pencil. Several of her portraits will be on display at the gallery. Born in New Zealand, Bowles received early art training from her mother, also a portrait artist, and lived and worked in the studio of her teacher, Alexander Fraser, foremost New Zealand sculptor and wood carver. Bowles is a member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, American Artists Professional League, National Arts, and is a life member of the Art Student League. She also is a past board member of both the Fine Arts Society and the Art Student League. Bowles works in watercolors and has done landscapes, florals, the human form and Chinese brush technique. In oils, she has worked in portraiture, landscape, still life and compositional study. She works from life or photograph. “Childhood itself is elusive,” she writes. “A special moment’ or look’ captured in a portrait becomes a treasure passed through the family for generations.” For information, call 973-383-0583 or e-mail arts-heritage@mercurylink.net.