Shining Stars and Lowcountry Tradition

Let’s Get Ready to Ramble

My name is Dean Cowart. I am a self-described marketing and design connoisseur by day, and by night, I transform into a contemporary artist. I am a proud South Carolina native, born and raised in the Lowcountry - blessed to have had the opportunity to live in all corners, including Hilton Head, Beaufort and Charleston. These experiences have offered a unique blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking culture that I believe can’t be found anywhere else. Kira is my ‘better half’ and without deliberate intention, has convinced me that there are such things as soul mates. I am a much happier, more at-ease person because of it. Much like our daughter, Kenley, I adore the outdoors - the wind in the palmetto trees, incoming and outgoing tides, the flickering stars that blanket the sky, gazing into the crescent moon — I enjoy getting lost in these moments. I am close to all my family and we live for Gamecock tradition and any opportunity to get together, laugh, spill and grill-out.

Over the years, I have made many close friends, but the best of all was an adopted mixed-breed named Chance (left abandoned and tied to a tree, rescued by my sister and given to me) who will never be replaced. I love watching rugby and played in college. I feel the need to tell you this because I am a little insecure about how ‘pretty’ my picture in the header of the website turned out to be. I am left-handed, but have a bionic right arm as a result of youth football with the Port Royal Bulldogs and two other back-to-back, not so smart, late night decisions. For me, there will never be enough hours in the day.  Past endeavors have taught me that I am much more productive when the sun goes down… I am okay with that and have begun planning accordingly.

I hope this brief window into my personality is sufficient enough for those curious enough to peak in. This rant/bio is something I initially cringed at, and after much debate (and realizing that it wouldn’t write itself) finally decided was one of those necessary evils in life. As an artist, it seems a requirement to give a detailed background on experience and perspective. And as many others have uttered ‘I hope that the work speaks for itself’. If there was a single consistent theme for one to absorb, I would imagine that it would be that my work is a bit different, both in technique and subject matter. I realize that fame and fortune does not always come to those that stray from what’s ‘pop’, but regardless I couldn’t create art in any other fashion. I will take my chances.

I am convinced that Art is my true calling. As a toddler, one of my first memories was when I once asked my Father how to draw a car as he was assembling my bunk bed. He grabbed a pencil and drew a quick 15-second outline, which to me was a masterpiece - I studied it for hours. It wasn’t too long before I was scribbling on construction paper and a combination of markers and broken crayons. I have since been scaling up exponentially. In medium, content and size. As my mind grows, so do my sights on what is possible creatively. My unique background as a graphic designer and prepress work experiences allow me to bring another element to the table. Not all of my jobs in life have been most glamorous, but as Mom would say, “everything happens for a reason”.

I try to work predominately outside - though I am no plein air painter. Most of what I put worth is from the depths of my wandering mind. Being outside just allows me to step away from the everyday struggle and have time to reflect and create. On rainy days I move the easel into the garage, shared by my orange cat named Nike, who was discovered while attacking a shoe in a junkyard. This was back when I was in the 7th grade — I am convinced he will outlive us all.

My creative process is both simple and complex. The complexities arise when I try to make a more conscious effort about my approach. It’s like trying to describe the sensation of eating ice cream; one is better suited just experiencing it. To those who haven’t, a picture does little justice. However, it becomes simple when I let go into the process and don’t question it so much. Kind of like a surrender into the right brain. Unfortunately, I have waves of creativity, followed by times of drought. In these times, I have learned that just reading, listening to music, and getting out of the house by dining out, seeing a movie, or visiting a local gallery, helps to pass the time before the next creative pulse arises.

Currently I am working on a new series of mixed media paintings on canvas, utilizing acrylic and digital techniques. I will have no idea how to talk about them until they are hung and dry, but I will do my best to keep my blog up to date in the process. I have other plans yet to be materialized, but I will save the announcement for later dates, because, well… talk is cheap.

On that note, I believe this is now long enough to qualify as an ‘artist bio’ with levels of self absorption equal to rock star — a sincere thanks is due to those of you who have taken the time to read this far. If anybody has questions beyond art, design, music, pop warner league, crazy late night decisions, South Carolina football, broken crayons and construction paper, rescued pets, consciousness or the creative process, feel free to contact me any time. I’ll either have my Kenley girl in my arms or a paint brush - however, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t behind the keyboard from time to time.

Your Friend,
Dean Cowart