Bio

Bio

I was born New Westminster, B.C., Canada, 1958. My dad was from Toronto and my mom from Saskatchewan. We moved to Ashland, Oregon in the early 1960's. After high school I worked as a freelance newspaper reporter. I continued to write news stories for newspapers, radio and television until the late 90's, publishing in most major media outlets in Canada.

In 1980 I moved to Ottawa to study ethnomusicology with Dr. Elaine Keillor at Carleton University where I graduated BA honours (anthropology), 1982. A that time I decided if I had to face working for the next 30 years, I should find a path in the world of arts and entertainment. I moved to Vancouver in 1984 and began a life of creative adventure which continues today.

  • PUBLIC COLECTIONS
  •  
  • National Library of Canada. Ottawa.
  • Bibliotheque nationale du Quebec. Montreal.
  • Rare Book Room, New York City Public Library.
  • Bibliotheque nationale du France. Paris.
  • Tate Gallery. London.
  • Victoria & Albert Museum. London.
  • Royal College of Art. London.
  • Musee d'art contemporain. Montreal.
  • Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. University of Toronto.
  • National Library Australia. Canberra.
  • Massey College Library. University of Toronto.
  • Richard A Gleeson Library. University of San Fransico.
  • University of Calgary. Calgary.
  • Suzzallo Library. University of Washington. Seattle.
  • Special Collections Library, UCLA, Los Angles.
  • Welesley Colege Library.
  • Fonds International du Livre d'artiste contemporain, Marseille.
  • Killam Memorial Library. Halifax, Nova Scotia.
  • Canadian Poetry Collection. Vancouver Public Library.
  • Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library.
  • Rare Book Library. McGill Universtiy. Montreal.
  • Special Collections. UBC, Vancouver.
  • Special Collections. University of Victoria.
  • McMaster University. Hamilton, Ont.

Some places I've exhibited work

  • Come Back Salmon. Hornby Island, Port Alberni. 2017.
  • Apology Accepted. New Puppy Gallery. Los Angeles. 2012.
  • The Art of the Book. Maltwood Prints and Drawing Gallery. University of Victoria. 2011
  • The Art of the Book. University of Alberta. 2009.
  • Joe King Park. Hornby Island, B.C. 2006.
  • Book Arts Fair. Harbour Centre, Toronto. 2003.
  • Livres d'artistes: Editions sans frontieres. Atelier Vis-a-Vis, Marseille. 2002.
  • Millennium in a Box. The Canadian Bookbinders and Book artists Guild. Toronto. 2000.
  • Le scenario visuel de la page. Bibliotheque nationale du Quebec, Montreal. 1999.
  • A Canadian Printmaker. University of Minnesota Library, Akita, Japan, 1999.
  • International
  • Yuwa Community Centre Gallery. Yuwa-Machi, Japan. 1999.
  • Rencontres Internationales De L'edition D'art et de Reherche. Galerie Des 4 Mains. Manosque, France. 1998.
  • International Conference of Book Artists. Marseille, France. 1998.
  • Contemporary Canadian Book Work. Kyoto International Community Centre Gallery, Japan, 1995.
  • Contemporary Canadian Book Work. Embassy of Canada, Tokyo. 1995.
  • Fine Printing. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto. 1995.
  • Fine Psrinting: The Private Press in Canada. The Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild, Toronto, 1995.
  • Repertoire del livre's d'artistes au Quebec. Bibliotheque national du Quebec. 1993.
  • Crown Gallery. Vancouver 1993,

 

Bibliography (text, prints, and design by Derek Cowan unless noted)

  • One-Hundred Views: A Graphic memoir Told in Woodblock Prints. Two volumes, bound in plexi, 85 pages, edition of ten. 2010Japanese binding, 20 pages, edition 37. 2004..
  • What's Love, Shakespeare? Illuminated wood block prints, wood type, bound in plexi, 32 pages, edition ten. 2010.
  • Fifteen views of a Japanese Village. Text b y William Lee, 16 wood cuts, lead type, Japanese binding, 20 pages, edition 37. 2004.
  • A Child's Guide to War, Wood type, wood cuts clam shell box, 32 pages , edition 20.2003.
  • Songs of Innocence and of Experience, .Lead type, lino cuts, 28 pages, boards with leather spine, 28 pages, edition 20. 2001.
  • The World is a Bowl, wood cuts, wood and plexi box, 24 pages, edition 112. 2000.
  • The Lotos-Eaters. Wood cuts, lead type, clamshell box 24 pages, edition 12, 1999.
  • Musicians. Ten wood cuts, papers folder, edition 10. 1993.
  • The Library. Lead type, lino cuts, bound in boards, 24 pages, edition 60.1992.
  • Mr. Lewis' Rabbit. Lead type , lino cuts, bound in boards, 24 pages, edition 85, 1992.
  • Cutthroat Trout Lead type, found objects, papers folder 24 pages, edition 37. 1998.
  • Critical Mass. Text by Louis Stevenson, wood cut Joe Ziner, hand made paper, lead type, pamphlet binding, 20 pages, edition 20. 1995.
  • Winter. Text by Tim Crawford, wood engravings, bound in boards, 36 pages, edition 75, 1991.
  • Our House. Lino cuts, lead type, handmade papers, paper slip case, 11 pages, edition 60. 1988.
  • Among what is lost. Text by Robert McClean, woodcuts by Priscilla Tetley, 36 pagers, 1988.
  • The Fiddle Player. Lead type, zinc cut, lino cut, glass and leather binding, 25 pages, edition 40, 1987.
  • I wish I was a Number. Lead type, typographical ornamentation , accordian binding, 24 pages edition 75. 1986.
  • The Fire's Purpose. Text by David Whited, wood cuts, bound in boards, 24 pages, edition 50, 1987.
  • One day in Norther Alberta. Lead type, money for the dead, slip case, 24 pages, edition 36, 1985.
  • The Red Gate & Other Poems. Poems by James Kelly, lead type, boards, 24 pages, edition 50, 1985.

 

Some critical reviews about my work

  • The Art of the Book. The Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild. Toronto
  • Edition sans Frontiers. Atelier Vis-a-Vis. Mrseille. 2002.
  • The Aart of the Book. The Canadian bookbinders and Bvook jAartists Guild. Toronto. 1998.
  • Itinerararies d'editeur d'ouvrages d'art et rechercher. Atelier Vis-a-Vis. Marseille. 1998.
  • Woodblock Prints and handmade books. University of Minnesota Akita Jpn. 1997.
  • Contemporary Canadian Bookworks. Toronto 1995.
  • Fine Printing: The Private Press in Canada. Toronto 1995.
  • Repertoier des livre au Quebec. Bibliotheque national du Quebec. 1993.

 

Personal life

Married to Priscilla Tetley, 1992, Montreal. Divorce 2005. Raised three kids, Thea, (b. 1984), Fraser (b.1987) and Malcolm (b. 1993). Married to Patrica Wallbank 2005, deceased 2019. I currently live on Vancouver Island.