Cover Artist – Cathy Jowers

Cathy Jowers “His grace is abundant and His mercies are new each day…”

It is possible you will know this month’s cover artist because she taught you or your children how to create art. Cathy Jowers taught art in our public school system for a total of 25 years. “I loved teaching children because they are fearless and so creative,” Cathy expressed while talking about her years in the classroom. It all began in Alabama, near Huntsville. Cathy’s mother was an artist and included her daughter, teaching her to paint, draw and make art. From a young age, Cathy was influenced by her mom and credits her for her love of art. Her mother’s style was realistic, finely detailed art and Cathy’s was much the same in the beginning. Her mother was involved in the Huntsville Art League, further exposing Cathy to the art world. After graduating, Cathy attended Auburn University where she earned a degree in Art Education. It was at Auburn that she met John Jowers, a handsome young man from the mountains of northern Georgia. After finishing college, the couple married and moved to John’s hometown of Clayton. Soon after Cathy began teaching and John went to work in his family’s appliance business now known as Antique Appliances on West Savannah Street. In talking with Cathy she shared, “John is truly my soul mate. I believe God meant for us to be together.” About four years into their marriage they started their family. Cathy took a break from teaching to raise her two children, Whitney and Austin. She bought and ran April Leigh’s, a ladies clothing store in Clayton while the children were little and sold the store and returned to teaching when Whitney and Austin started school. In 1986, Cathy had a stroke that greatly affected her right side. This was a devastating blow to the family. Cathy had to learn everything over, from walking to writing, talking and of course painting. She is grateful to God for restoring all of these things and for the life she has been given. To say that the stroke didn’t affect her painting would not be true. It made it better than ever! Her style changed from detailed and realistic to impressionistic and textured. Her medium is primarily acrylics and her tools are a palette knife and big brushes, Cathy Jowers brings to life on canvas Appalachian landscapes with barns and children mixed in. She adores animals and finds joy in painting God’s creatures. Her grandchildren’s adventures are the subject of many of her paintings, capturing moments in time that can never be relived except in her art. The stories that are woven into each canvas are ones of love and family. This is one reason she is often commissioned to paint. Cathy likes to have multiple photos or even video of her subject. This allows her to watch mannerisms that are then conveyed in a portrait. These days painting is still a part of most everyday. No longer the teacher, Mrs. Jowers is now putting into action the knowledge she has shared with her students. She has a group of close friends who gather to paint,

each bringing something to the group. These artists truly learn from each other. Brushes are dipped in paint, laughter erupts, prayers, accomplishments and struggles are shared among friends. Cathy also works with young girls through AWANA at her church. These 3rd-6th grade girls are eager to learn about Jesus. Worship is at the core of her life and she recognizes and shares the ways that God has walked with her every step, how He has orchestrated the beautiful life she shares with John. His grace is abundant and mercies new each day in all of our lives. This woman is a living example of that. When walking her two Australian Shepherds around her neighborhood, Cathy remembers her kids walking across the hill to Fred Darnell’s barn to pet the sheep. Now her grandchildren visit the same barn, owned by another gentleman, to pet his cows and burrows. Her daughter Whitney and her husband, Ben Henderson and their son Owen, live in Henry County, Georgia. Whitney teaches Middle School Science. Her son Austin Jowers and wife Leslie have made their home in Greer, South Carolina with two daughters, Addie Grace and Ellie Claire. These grandchildren can be found as inspiration for many of her paintings along with an old red wagon from her husband John’s days. We are honored to have Cathy’s art on our cover. We are pleased to get to know her better and blessed to share her art with you. Recently she joined the North Georgia Arts Guild which she said has been a pleasure. She was featured in their column in our pages a few months back. Her art was also on display recently at Butlers Galleries. If you’d like to see more of her work, you are invited to visit Gallery 441 in the Heart of Dillard or Cathy’s website – www.cathyhjowers.com. If you’d like to commission Cathy to paint for you please reach out to her by e-mailing cathyhj79@ gmail.com.

Finding Art