Andrea Cowan
I was born near Chicago and have spent most of my life in San Diego.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences from San Diego State University, with an emphasis in painting, printmaking, and photography, and later completed a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Embroidery entered my practice almost by accident — I first used it to add texture to paintings, then found it became a practical, portable way to keep working. As I learned different stitching techniques, I grew drawn to the way thread sits on a painted surface, and it became a discipline in its own right.
Nearly thirty years ago, I was SCUBA diving in the Coral Sea just beyond the Great Barrier Reef when I first witnessed coral bleaching firsthand. Revisiting photographs from that trip years later became the spark for the work I make now — pieces that hold impermanence and resilience in the same frame. I still dive today, and I find inspiration not only underwater but along the coastline, in wetlands, shorebirds, and the quieter edges where land meets water.
Documenting the ocean and my surroundings as I experience them is deeply rewarding, and I've come to rely on something unexpected: when I'm faced with a challenge, making art often leads me to solutions I wouldn't have found otherwise.
My work has been shown at Greenly Art Space in San Pedro (Cultivating Compassion, 2026), the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum in San Diego (Summer Exhibit, 2025), and Greenly Art Space in Signal Hill (SoCalATA Annual Exhibit, 2017). I'm currently seeking new gallery partnerships and exhibition opportunities to bring this work to a wider audience.
Custom Order - Coastal Maine aC Art
Whether you're envisioning a bespoke seascape or a unique piece inspired by the coast, I am here to bring your vision to life. My studio is dedicated to hand-stitched art that captures the serene beauty of the ocean.