Nan Cowan is an abstract artist who is inspired by the landscapes of the places she has lived: growing up on the flat plains of Nebraska, the mountains of Colorado, the steep hills of Cincinnati, the wetlands of Minnesota and now the woods and lakes in Michigan.
The sense of discovery while walking through these landscapes is expressed in her art by adding and removing layers of paint and drawn marks. Her artwork visually invites the viewer to a sense of discovery and exploration, which is what she values in the creative process.
After working as an illustrator for many years, she transitioned to making her own art while earning a MFA at the University of Cincinnati.