The Cortez Journal recently sat down with Cohoe to talk about how he got started, the creative process and the challenge of balancing art with other obligations of daily life.
Cortez Journal: For those who don’t know your backstory, when and how did you start drawing? Was art always a big part of your life?
Cohoe: Like most people, I started out by doodling when I was very young. I used to doodle, then started drawing on the paper sacks that my parents brought the groceries home in. My first recollection of artwork was recreating four of Norman Rockwell’s “Saturday Evening Post” magazine covers when I was in elementary school. Art has always been a big part of my life, especially after I got married. My wife, Etta convinced me that I have a talent that most people don’t, and I should do something with it.
CJ: What is the creation process like for you? Do you prefer to plan out a piece, or does it happen naturally?
Cohoe: The creation process depends on whether the piece is a commissioned one or my own idea. In commissioned work, the client mostly decides what I draw. If it’s my own creation, the subject or theme dictates a lot of my planning process. With that said, once I come up with a subject or theme I can almost see the finished drawing immediately.
CJ: A lot of your best-known work is done with pencil. Have you considered experimenting with any other types of materials?
Cohoe: I’ve always wanted to sculpt. I hope to someday have a bronze made of a sculpture I’ve created. Another medium I’d like to try is pastels. I love the vibrant colors.
CJ: You have a full-time job and still make time for your art. How do you balance that? Is it hard to switch gears and get creative after a long day’s work?
Cohoe: Time is the hardest thing to balance when you have a full-time job. Especially when I have to work out of town. Like commuting everyday to Telluride or Bloomfield. When I got home it was ... shower, eat and go to bed. Working locally does allow me more time to draw.
When I’m working on a piece really inspiring, it is very easy to switch gears. I can’t wait to get in my art room or studio.
CJ: Tell me about the inspiration behind your new piece, “Ancient Solitude.”
Cohoe: It came after an invitation to participate in Mesa Verde Foundation’s “Rims to Ruins” Art Exhibition in Denver last year. When I was at Mesa Verde National Park last May, I visited Cliff Palace, and while there the words “solitude,” “elusive” and, of course, “ancient” came to mind. I wanted to include an animal in my drawing and with those words in mind, I envisioned a mountain lion.
Prints of Cohoe’s latest work, “Ancient Solitude” are available at the Mancos Goodnight Trail Gallery and in Cortez at The Cortez Cultural Center.