On View: Artist Christina Cowan’s Paintings on Self-love, Beauty, and Women Empowerment

Christina Cowan, a full-time artist from Connecticut, has found her true calling in art after transitioning from a career as a licensed social worker. Growing up surrounded by art, Christina talks about how personal struggles led her back to her creative roots and how completing the Milan Art Institute’s Mastery Program helped her find her creative voice. She also opens up about her creative process, sources of inspiration, and the deeper emotions behind her work. Christina hopes to empower others, especially women, through her art and bring joy and connection to those who experience it.

Christina Cowan is a licensed social worker and a full-time artist in Connecticut. She has transitioned from social work into a professional artist, taking with her a new love and appreciation for life’s simple and positive aspects, which is reflected in her art through emotions and themes. She grew up surrounded by art, as both her mom and aunt were artists and shared an art studio. Christina is currently a student with the Milan Art Institute in their Mastery Program, where her art has grown immensely, and she has indeed found her voice and unique artistic style. Notably, she has been accepted into multiple juried shows at Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, Hygienic Art Gallery, Essex Art Association Gallery, Spectrum Gallery, and Guilford Art League; through Arts to Hearts Project she has been published in their 101 Art Books: Floral Edition, Arts to Hearts Project book – Colors, Arts to Hearts Project book – Art and Women, Arts to Hearts Project book – The Emerging Artist’s Handbook: Insights from 100 Emerging Women Worldwide Arts to Hearts Project book – 101 Art Books: Animal Edition, as well as their magazine and virtual art exhibit on the theme of colors; is a member of Women in Arts Network; and has had her solo gallery showing at the Clinton Art Gallery where she is now training to become the Gallery Manager.

1. What inspired you to become an artist?

Growing up, I was always surrounded by art and created art as my mom and aunt were artists and shared an art studio. During my college years, when I was struggling with loss and anxiety, I became inspired to start drawing again, leading into painting, after discovering Charmaine Olivia’s art as well as yearning to be still connected to my late aunt. I slowly began to create original work and became stagnant in finding my style, so I focused more on starting my social work career. I got burnt out very quickly and desperately wanted just to be painting. I wanted to feel alive again, which I think when painting. Within the past year, I have been completing the Art Mastery Program through the Milan Art Institute. This is where my artistic skills indeed took off. Through this program, I have found my authentic voice for my art and a cohesive style and aesthetic. I am now a professional artist who feels alive again and truly like myself.

I feel as though I was born to make art, look at art, be art.

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2. What is your creative process like from start to finish?

My creative process starts with focusing on a general emotion for a series of paintings, such as self-love, using your voice, empowerment, love, growing, etc. I create my source on Pixelmator, and then I will start with sketching and then collaging with scrapbook papers, fabrics, quotes, and various pastes to add depth and a storyline to the painting. Then, I will use spray paint and paint markers, going into transparent oils to wash and glaze. Finally, a few layers of opaque oils and a touch of cold wax mixed with oil finish off the paintings.

3. Where do you find inspiration for your artwork?

I am usually inspired by the photography of women I come across on Pinterest or Instagram and by bright colors, especially blues and pinks. I am drawn to incorporating themes of female beauty, empowerment, and nature into my paintings. I will mix women, flowers, or bees with magical elements to create a dreamy, soft, positive, and elegant depiction of unseen beauty, such as in my piece “Nurture Self Love.”

4. Can you tell us about a particular piece of art that holds special meaning for you?

This is My Letter to the World. It holds a special place in my heart as this piece captures my journey of allowing myself to take up space and use my voice. So often, girls are taught to shrink themselves, stay quiet, always be friendly, put everyone else first, and not show their strength and power. Throughout my 20s, I have been struggling to undo what I was taught by society. This painting is the final stage where I am trying to leave that small voice behind, but it feels unnatural.

My artistic voice focuses on empowerment, especially in women – using colors that bring me happiness and embrace my femininity. 

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5. What do you hope people take away from experiencing your art?

After viewing my art, I strive to have my audience feel in awe, happy, and powerful. With the colors I use and the open poses in the women, viewers feel a sense of welcome and feel like they are at home. I utilize collage to express emotions through quotes, which creates many layers of depth to draw my audience close. This allows them to feel more attached and captivated by my art. I aim to have women feel empowered, confident and understood.

Christina Cowan’s path from social work to full-time artist shows how art can heal and transform. Her paintings, which focus on personal growth and inner strength, encourage people to accept their beauty and power. Christina’s art reflects her journey and empowers others, reminding us that art can be a powerful way to connect and inspire. To learn more about Christina, visit the links below.