As a child, he loved to draw comics, but never imagined being an artist.
“I never ‘wanted’ to be an artist. I just am one,” Jason Fowler said about his career path. “I don’t mean that in some hoity-toity way. The reason I know I’m an artist is because I keep making artwork. Simple. I’ve been this way since I was a kid.”
Born in Habersham County, the son of Tommy and Anna Fowler, Jason loves everything about his hometown. His parents live next door to Jason and his wife Tonya. She and Jason are both artists.
If you drop by the Art-Full Barn in Clarkesville, GA, you might see Tonya working on the pottery wheel or teaching art classes. The couple are raising two small children.
Author, illustrator, and more
Fowler wears many hats. He is more like a Renaissance man with all his talents and skills.
“My career feels less like a path I chose and more like a magnet that pulls me. I’ve got a wide variety of interests, but one that’s stuck with me throughout is art,” Fowler described.
In college, Fowler said he tried out different interests but always came back to art. After college, he freelanced and then became a graphic designer (through chance). An opportunity came for him to work on a book with a guy. Afterward, a publisher picked him up to work with authors as an illustrator. And, as they say, “the rest is history”.
“I’ve illustrated books ever since,” Fowler added.
It was only after illustrating many books for other people that he started thinking about becoming an author himself. His first children’s book, Dance and Play the Animal Way, was conceptualized because he didn’t want his daughter to become addicted to electronic devices.
“I had visions of her becoming a screen zombie. That book was my effort to encourage creativity and physicality in children,” Fowler said, and he continues with a passion to write books children want to read.
Fowler said his goal has been to improve in every way as a self-publisher, which for him means making great books, making more books, and getting those books into people’s hands. “There’s a lot to learn, so I’ve got plenty to keep me busy,” Fowler said with a laugh.
Children’s book series
Currently, Fowler is working on a children’s book series about a little boy named Max. The first book in the series has been very successful, The No Good, Rotten, Worst Birthday Party of All Time. He hopes to create about 10 adventure books for Max.
Fowler is working on the second one now. “The story is exciting and fun. The artwork is stylish. This book could become a favorite book for a lot of kids, something they’ll want to read over and over,” Fowler said.
Here is a SNEAK PEAK at the new book coming out soon.
Developing artists
To parents or grandparents, who may have children with artistic skills, Fowler is very clear, “Encouragement is key.” He believes that if a child truly loves art, it will develop itself; but, when parents can invest in their child, by saying, “Instead of looking at the tablet or TV, why don’t you draw a picture?”
Fowler also thinks registering for art camps, taking them to look at art shows, and exposing them to creative avenues are ways to foster a love for the arts.
“It’s like anything. When the boss changes the computer system at work, we all usually hate it. But after a little bit, we accept it and eventually learn to love it,” Fowler said. “People love something the more they understand it. The better we get at it, the more we tend to enjoy it, whatever ‘it’ is.”
Graphic designer, speaker, and more
“I’ve been a graphic designer for many years. In that role I do 3 things: Create marketing materials, create/ refresh logos, and create/refresh websites,” Fowler continued. “Website work is one of the services I offer. Here’s why so many businesses need it: Their sites are often hard to use, hard to look at, and don’t work.”
Fowler explained that when he says a website doesn’t work, he means it does not entice the viewer to do anything, like join a mailing list, make a call, or reach out. Sometimes websites are so confusing that people immediately leave. People don’t put up with any friction online, a site that’s broken or confusing is devastating to businesses.
Another passion of Fowler’s is public speaking. “Most people do not like to speak in public. I love it.” Fowler is a motivator. His desire is to help others find their talent and skills and develop them. Another avenue he enjoys is facilitating others in the self-publishing world. Fowler offers advice and handholding throughout the process.
Contact Jason Fowler
You can find Fowler’s books at JasonFowlerBooks.com. Download some of the freebies and sign up for the newsletter. Fowler asks that if you read any of his books, please leave a review on Amazon and let him know.
This summer he is running a camp June 17 – 21 for Ages 7 to 8 (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) and ages 9 to 10 (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.). It is called the Super Kids Creativity Camp. It will be at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center – 120 Paul Franklin Rd, Clarkesville, GA.
To contact Fowler, you can find him on Facebook, Twitter (@JFowlerBooks) and Instagram (@jasonfowlerbooks).
