Today we’d like to introduce you to Dale Cochran.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Creativity plays a significant role in my story.
Art is my creative outlet. My earliest drawing memories are lying on the floor beside my Dad while he worked. His day job was in textiles, and he had a side hustle as a sign painter. He enjoyed drawing, which lead him to take a mail-order art course. I would use his art course books and copy the drawings while he painted signs.
My first formal art training was in high school and I became involved in all available art activities. I was honored to be elected the President of the Art Club and receive the school Art Award as a senior. My art journey continued at Anderson University and Winthrop University, earning degrees in Visual Arts.
My first job was as an Illustrator for a two-issues-a-day local newspaper, which introduced me to the real world of deadlines. Along with illustrations, I began doing graphic design work and moved into leadership. My career in design and creative leadership took me into higher education and several manufacturing companies.
While at the newspaper, I continued to draw, began painting in watercolor, and began entering juried art competitions. I was rejected more than accepted, but the juried competitions challenged me. My watercolor skills improved, and in 2007, a local arts center asked me to teach a watercolor class. That launched workshop opportunities and individual lessons in watercolor and drawing. I enjoy sharing my experience and plan to continue for as long as possible.
In 2022, I retired from my role as executive director of creative operations in university marketing at Clemson University. Now, I spend my days as a full-time Papa, artist and instructor.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everyone faces challenges now and then, but overall, I’ve been blessed and my path has been mostly smooth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In February 2023, I rejoined the Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville as a juried artist member, after having been part of the group from 2012 to 2015. I stepped away for a while to care for a parent whose health was declining. Being part of the gallery gives me a place to share my art and keeps me connected with a creative community. Best of all, the artists there are not only talented, but truly good people.
While I’ve explored various media, my primary choices are watercolor, graphite, and charcoal. My surroundings in upstate South Carolina have always been the core inspiration for my work. I am drawn to the ordinary and strive to reveal the uniqueness and beauty in things that may seem plain. My subject matter includes landscapes, animals/wildlife, portraits, figurative, and still life. My style is categorized as realism, however, my approach involves abstraction and impressionism. I am intrigued by the chaos that comes in scribbling marks or splashing pigment and water on paper and watching it evolve.
I love being a student of art. I also enjoy sharing what I have learned over the years, so I teach workshops and individual instruction.
What matters most to you? Why?
Faith and family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dalecochran.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdale.cochran/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dale.cochran
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-cochran-9251147/
- Other: https://www.artistsguildgalleryofgreenville.com
