About
Richard Cowdrey is an illustrator, artist, educator and storyteller from Cincinnati, Ohio. His deep connection with nature coupled with his powers of observation and faith make him a rare and special type of visual communicator. Playful, vibrant and uplifting, Richard’s passionate artwork distills and elevates ideas to convey emotions.
In addition to being a New York Times Best Selling author and illustrator of children’s books, Richard works on corporate projects and private commissions. He also is available for speaking engagements for the edutainment of young children and teaching and mentoring sessions to help young artists navigate the often murky waters of freelance artistry. Richard currently resides in Mount Vernon, OH with his wife and two adorable pups.
Inquiries: richard@richardcowdrey.com
Commercial illustration work:
Worldwide - info@richardcowdrey.com
Publishing and children’s books inquires:
Richard is represented by Zondervan Publishing
When Richard Cowdrey asked his Mom the question he gets at every school visit, “When did I start drawing?” she gave the same answer he had been giving for years, “I cannot remember a time when you weren’t drawing”.
An Artist’s Journey
Remarkably, Richard made it through to high school, where he was still, “The Artist in the class”, but had no direction for his life. Fortunately in his senior year of high school he had an art teacher, Mr Koenig, who saw through the discipline problems and recognized real artistic potential. Mr Koenig helped to put together a portfolio of Richard’s artwork and presented his work to admissions at Columbus College of Art & Design…….Because of Mr Louis Koenig Richard had a scholarship to CCAD and his life finally had direction
West Side Story
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised on “The West Side” (an important Cincinnati distinction) Richard was the kid in school who was constantly drawing, his vivid imagination always a distraction. In todays academic institution he would be put into the “gifted program”, back in the 60’s and 70’s he was considered to be contrary, undisciplined, or rebellious. Exasperated, most of his teachers either had his desk attached to their own, or in the farthest recesses of the classroom where he wouldn’t be as much of a distraction. As hard as many teachers worked to get him to pay attention, he just drew, drew, drew.
Have Faith
At CCAD Richard truly found his “calling”. Loving to hear and tell good stories. Enjoying creating characters and adventures of his own, Richard was born to be an illustrator, to tell stories with his artwork. His favorite artist and art was Norman Rockwell and his Saturday Evening Post covers.
The Salad Years
After graduating from CCAD Richard was recruited to Hallmark Greeting Cards in Kansas City MO., a wonderful opportunity but ultimately not the right fit. Richard soon moved back to Ohio, married his college sweetheart Cindy, and they moved to the top of a mountain in Vermont. Piece by piece Richard built a career as a freelance illustrator, first working with small newspapers and small Ad Agencies, then getting opportunities with more established magazines (Yankee Magazine, Cross Country Skier, Fly Fishing Magazine, and Ducks Unlimited) When he secured an agent in Boston, he finally had consistent work.
A Family Man
While adding more and more clients, Richard & Cindy added more children, having four total; Lauren, Megan, Allison, and Ryan. They all moved back to Ohio to be near family and Richard joined a very talented group of illustrators, the Illustrated Alaskan Moose. During the eleven years at IAM Richard did a lot of artwork for a variety of toy companies as well as Mead “Trapper Keepers”, Wendy’s International, Honda, and Longaberger baskets, where he did a yearly calendar, prints, collector plates and ornaments. The highest profile project Richard worked on during this time was the artwork for Super Bowl 32, a unique opportunity and honor.
Breaking in to Books
Richard continued to work with Publishers, both magazine and book Publishers. He illustrated a lot of book covers, then in 1997 he illustrated his first full length children’s picture book “Animal Lullabies” for Harper-Collins. After a couple of small picture books he illustrated the classic song/story “Frosty the Snowman” for Grosset & Dunlap. In 2006 Harper-Collins was looking for an artist to illustrate the children’s book version of the huge hit “Marley and Me” by John Grogan. Richard was selected and went on to create his first in a series on NY Times bestselling books, “Bad Dog, Marley”, followed up by “A Very Marley Christmas” both books reaching #1on the NY Times bestsellers list! Richard was established as a children’s book illustrator! He went on to do 3 more full length “Marley” books, followed by countless “I Can Read” Marley books. He followed the success of Marley with another very successful series “The Guardian’s of Ga’Hoole”. At this point the great majority of Richard’s time was spent working with Publishers on many wonderful books, including the “Legend” series with Zonderkidz, and a string of successful faith based collaborations with Anthony DeStefano.
Travel
A wonderful new opportunity came with the popular success of the “Marley” series; traveling to schools across the country sharing his experience as a student, and as a professional illustrator. The highlight of these presentations was the “draw-along” where the teachers and students all drew-along with Richard, creating Marley or Fiona masterpieces. As a result of the school visits, Richard and Cindy have traveled too many communities, made lots of new friends and have had a lot of great experiences and adventures.
Richard’s career continues to take turns he hadn’t foreseen or considered such as the opportunity to create murals for “Cosmic Daves Subs”, or doing custom paintings for individuals homes and golf courses. One of the best parts to the journey as a freelance illustrator is not knowing what interesting project will be coming next.
The Fiona Phenomenon
Currently much of Richard’s time is consumed by the “Fiona” phenomenon, either at the table painting artwork for the next book, or on the road promoting the last book. “Fiona is such a wonderful character, and the people I work with at Zondervan, and at the Cincinnati Zoo are great to work with!”
Country Living
Richard and Cindy love their life in the country surrounded by Amish families, horses, goats, chickens, their dog Mosley, two cats, Gracie and Wilbur. When not illustrating Richard is either splitting wood for the winter, or doing something in the garden, and hopefully spending time with his seven grandchildren.
