Designer/Artist Spotlight: Linsay Cowles
This month’s spotlight is on contemporary artist and decorative arts designer, Lindsay Cowles. Her work is so creative and unique, an artist who can seamlessly merge from canvas to textile without skipping a beat is pure talent. Her style is so fresh and brings major wow factor to anything it touches, even the walls! And that takes me to my obsession, her wallcovering designs. Utter perfection! I’ll let her work do the talking…
AW: Tell us a bit about your background
LC: From my first memories, I have always loved art. I took art classes all throughout my childhood, but stepped away from creating art for about 10 years when I went to college and then to New York. I was in the fashion industry in NYC and worked in sales for Alberta Ferretti. It wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles that I got back into painting. From that point, I haven’t stopped! And I knew right from the beginning that I wanted to bring my art full circle and create wallpapers and fabrics to dress the home.
When I moved back to Richmond that I really focused on growing my company. I was able to focus 100% of my time on painting, product development and marketing.
My business is constantly growing and evolving. My next venture is rugs. Expect to see them in the next few months!
AW: What kind of creative process, routines or rituals do you have?
LC: Go go go! That’s my routine in a nutshell.
AW: What is integral to the work of an artist?
LC: To be in the right head space to create. Each part of what I do requires a different creative process— from painting; to building and editing patterns; to planning and developing colors; to figuring out which applications and scale would work best. I have to block out time for each of these creative processes and have to be in the right mindset to tackle each of them.
AW: Tips or advice you would give to someone trying to pursue a career in art and design?
LC: Never stop experimenting. It’s important to continue learning and pushing the limits on your creative process.
AW: Do you ever experience creative blocks? How do you overcome them?
LC: Yes! Everyone in art and design must have creative blocks! I find that sometimes its through these blocks that you push yourself past your comfort zone and learn something new. And sometimes, I creative blocks require a full break. A chance to reflect. I do my best reflecting outside— either riding my bike, going for a walk, or just playing with my dogs and family outside. Travel always helps too. Seeing new places and having new experiences always helps.
AW: Who are a few artists/designers you admire and why?
LC: Gerhard Richter. His use of color, layering and depth is so inspirational. Motherwell for his shapes, proportions and use of black and white.
AW: What are your everyday essentials?
LC: In the studio— empty glass jars for mixing paint. When in the office, my cutting board, electric stapler and printer get a serious workout.
Lindsay Cowles
AW: A typical day in your life includes…?
LC: I am typically an early riser. I work out of my house, so I usually go to the kitchen, get my cup of coffee and head to the office pretty early. It’s a really tough commute 😉 Then my son and husband get up around 7, so I stop and take a break with them and have breakfast. Once my son is off to school, I find that mornings are a great time to catch up on things. I usually like to head to the studio and get in a few hours of painting while I am fresh, then back to the office to work on sample requests, order processing, design work, etc. The end of the day is family time. We all have dinner together and then relax for a bit before heading to bed.
AW: When do you feel most inspired?
LC: When I come up with something new that I love or help someone create something custom that they love! Or when I see how a designer has used my wallpapers, fabrics or art in a unique and different way. I love to see how creative people are with design. Sky is the limit!!
AW: Your latest obsession?
LC: Small paintings framed with a big mat board and frame. I always love juxtaposition.
AW: What do you do when you are outside of your studio?
LC: I chill with my son, husband and two frenchies. My son is 14 months old, so my time off is really all about him. He is growing and changing so much each day, it really is so much fun to watch!
Follow Lindsay’s Instagram feed to stay visually inspired and up to date on her latest designs and installs… I dare you to not heart every image!
xoA