Today we’d like to introduce you to John Howell.
Hi John, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
At age five, I knew I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I loved the feeling of holding a paintbrush and creating something from a blank piece of paper. By the time I was in high school, I recommitted to that dream of becoming an artist. My notes for history class, English class, and math were covered in doodles and drawings. That love for creativity lead me to Round Rock, TX where I started Cordovan Art School in 2009.
Something was happening in Round Rock at the same time with the formation of the new Round Rock Arts Council. I could feel excitement building around the arts in the area and I wanted to be a part of it. I had participated in several Street Chalk Festivals before, so I presented the idea of a chalk festival to the RR Arts Council. We were looking for a way to promote the arts on a shoe-string budget, and the Chalk festival seemed to fit the bill. The Round Rock Chalk Walk would have never gotten off the ground without the collaboration of so many talented community leaders who teamed up with The Round Rock Arts Council. And I was excited to be a part of it.
The first year of the festival, I was worried about getting enough artists together. So, I paid the entry fee for any art teacher at the Cordovan Art School if they would just come and draw at the festival. The moment I realized that the Chalk Walk was going to be a long-term success was just a few years later when the Festival award winners were 1st-time artists who I had never before met. (I still pay the entry fee for any Cordovan Art School teacher who enters–a tradition that started that very first year). Typically we attract local artists that live in the greater Austin Area. But, the festival has brought in a few artists from far away places like Los Angeles.
It takes a lot of work to put on the festival each year, and sometimes I wonder if it is worth the effort… but every year I hear something unexpected that makes it worth it! Here are a few of my favorite moments: Katie Bogan entered her first chalk walk at age seven and is the only artist who has participated ALL ten years. As a junior in High School, Katie won BEST of SHOW. It was the only time in 10 years that a high school student has won! Another favorite moment was when the daughter of long-time Chalk Walk artist, Becky Porter, was asked what is her favorite holiday. She replied, “My favorite holiday of the year is Chalk Walk”.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Because I have a creative mind, I like to dream big and try new things. As a result, I have had a hand in many start-up creative ventures along the way and failed at most of them. I have learned some of the greatest life lessons from my failures. At the low points in my life, I learned how to be more compassionate and caring of other people–because there are a lot of people who are going through hard things in life just like I was.
After I opened up the first Cordovan Art School in Round Rock, TX, I decided if 1 art school is good, then 2 is better. However, the second art school failed; it was 100% my fault for bad decisions I had made, and I was devastated. My 3 and 4th attempts were also flops. But, each time I learned what not to do. It was a refining process and I learned each time I failed. I felt successful this past year after opening up our 8th Cordovan Art studio, and it would have never happened without all the bumps and bruises along the way.
The creative people I met during this time of life led me to meeting members of the Round Rock Arts Council. I brought the idea of the Chalk Walk to them, and from there the rest is history.
I wonder what type of person I would be today if I quit and stopped trying after my first failed attempt. Thankfully, I kept going or there would be no Chalk Walk and no Cordovan Art School.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the founder of Cordovan Art School, where “we create artists”. This year we opened up our 8th studio (four in Austin area and four in Houston) On the side, I am an oil painter and have created artwork for magazines, books, homes, hospitals, and universities.
One of the things I am most passionate about is the Round Rock Chalk Walk. I helped kick-start this arts festival twelve years ago. Today, I am the only original member still involved.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
My failures don’t define me. My successes don’t define me. Who I am becoming through the journey is what counts.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cordovanartschool.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cordovanartschool
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cordovanartschool
