Will Cowman and the Future of Art in Steamboat
by Dan Greeson
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of Art with Altitude.
The usual skiers, cowboys, livestock, and wildlife that regularly grace the walls of Steamboat Springs art galleries may soon be joined by an eclectic cast of robots, samurai and eldritch beasts because Will Cowman is redefining the Steamboat art scene. A student at the Savannah College of Art and Design (set to graduate in 2026), the 20-year-old Steamboat native has injected a fresh, dynamic energy into what we expect to see in the area’s galleries.
You may have seen Will’s interplanetary landscapes and cyberpunk characters prominently displayed at Dusky Grouse Coffee this past spring. Will was also a guest artist for Undiscovered Earth at W Gallery this summer. A look through his past Instagram posts (@psychedelish_art) reveals a rapid transformation from a curious doodler to a confident artist with a distinct voice.
Will began creating art when he was in fourth grade, starting with simple sketches and gradually adding complexity. “I really loved the thought of sharing ideas and expressing my imagination through doodles and stories,” he recalls.
Over time, the subject matter of Will’s work has expanded dramatically. “Throughout my art journey I’ve always loved drawing characters,” he says. “I’ve definitely improved my anatomy to give them personality and expression through poses. I’ve also expanded to drawing landscapes. The more I learn, the happier I am.”
Bold lines and bright color palettes bring an urban edge to Will’s work, resulting in a style decidedly different from the art typically seen around Steamboat. “My main influences at the moment are graffiti and video games,” he says. “I love incorporating 2D graffiti style into my character designs and worlds.”
Will’s creative process begins with collecting inspiration, listening to music and perusing art on Pinterest. “Then I start sketching on one canvas until I find a certain pose or background I’m happy with,” he explains. “I start the line art, which is my favorite part.” Some pieces remain as line art, while others are filled with vibrant color palettes that Will finds online.
Many of the young artist’s pieces offer glimpses into other worlds and spark the viewer’s imagination. “Personally, I like to leave my art up to interpretation instead of coming up with a story first,” he says. “I like creating art that makes people make up their own stories.”
Will credits much of his artistic success to local and familial influences. “Steamboat has always been a pretty artsy community, but my mother is a big part of it too,” he says. “There are a lot more art opportunities in Steamboat than a lot of other places I know of.” One day he’d like to create a public mural in Steamboat. We can’t wait.
Will Cowman is changing the course of the Steamboat art community one fantastical character and otherworldly landscape at a time. Keep an eye out, because this young artist is just getting started.
Elevate the Arts: Hire Will Cowman to paint a mural on your building. Reach out to AwA to be connected. DG
