Meet Joel Cothran | Visual Artist – Muralist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joel Cothran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joel, how do you think about risk?
I realized I am a gambler when it comes to risk. When I was younger, there was a lot of things I wanted to do and a person I wanted to become. I was filled with tremendous anxiety and suffered from being a bit reserved and forging a path toward “success” that someone like myself had no good (close) examples for. My path in life I understood was always going to be a bit different, and while knowing it would mean difficult transitions and time I took things on the best I could. If I was scared to talk to people I immersed myself in situations where I was forced to interact. When I felt I wanted to see more of the world and big cities I made it moved. When I felt my work needed more depth I pushed further. I covered up old work and started new. I left behind things I didn’t need, I read more I listened more I challenged myself to become uncomfortable when I finally felt comfort. I spent more on making art and a life then I ever received. I made a life for myself that is so far removed from the person I was that some people do not recognize me. I failed tremendously many times and it hurt. But in the long run I see myself through the lense of someone who embraces chaos to get to an order and risk is a driving factor in how I see and approach life. And I believe that taking risk is one thing that makes us feel alive.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think what separates me from others is my mentality. I have some theory’s that are mine and mine alone. I develop slowly but I work quickly. I’m excited about the strange. I’m trying to dive into the weird.

In my conceptual point of view, an Artist is one who develops an understanding of any [one] thing better than the average. And the best art is love. So if you love life or understand any one thing you can change reality in a way that no one else can. The best version of man is one that uses his talents of love to impact positively the world around himself.

I’m not really a professional but i have been making it work. It’s a terribly long story… but I have been a carpenter, tour guide, bus boy, antique finder, theming artist, paint and sip instructor, demo guy, and greensman + set decorator for TV and Film. The whole time I had to “make a living” I drew and painted in my spare time. It was never easy, I wanted to give up constantly on my dream of painting and creating. I wouldn’t say I have overcome much… however, my mentality is changing. I’m more positive and less concerned about material wealth. I’m pushing my work further and faster than ever, I am embracing change. The challenges never stop, and to stop learning is death even if you are still “alive”.

What I want the world to know is about my moniker: WKRBC-RADIO. I used to shy away from the curiosity inside myself for fear that no one will understand. Now I push toward the curiosity knowing that hardly anyone will understand. There are many definitions of Radio. But my interest in science and the world around me, my interest in existentialism and philosophy and the stars all make for quite interesting analysis. The definition for Radio I use is this: of, or relating to radiant energy. And I radiate, I always have… and you do too. The correlation here allows me to see myself as more than just a body or name. I can receive and project, I can see the big picture in waves. You can find my station at 37 degrees Celsius, on a Human Modulation level. And so on and so on. I make myself free of confines by changing the picture frame we view ourselves within. My story is about how to see behind the veil of “life” and create something meaningful and fruitful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well…. Columbia, SC lies in the very middle of South Carolina. We are a couple hours away from mountains and ocean to the North and East. The land is a bit flat and sandy… however! We have a unique river system and a smidge of hills. If it was the summertime we would definitely have to float down the river and then go to a Firefly baseball game and get some glizzies. If you like playing disc golf we have some phenomenal disc golf courses here too. The downtown area is not as large as other big cities in America, but it is definitely not small. Traffic is not too bad at all. A stroll down Main St. and a mixed beverage at Bourbon is clutch. We have one of the best Zoos in the world here. We have walkways for miles around the river. If you get on top of a parking garage downtown you can see some of the best sunsets in the South. Every Saturday you can visit one of the best markets around that goes right up to the Capital building on Main St. If you have never bought an Earnest Lee painting of his “Chicken Man” series, you’re probably not from around here. People love the Lake here but I was always a River person cause it was free. In the south we like the mustard BBQ style and Zestos fried chicken for some comfort food but my go to was always Egg Roll Station… RIP. The Vista is for adults and Five Points is for the college kids. The North side isn’t for whites at night. Columbia is mainly a college town but it’s changing rapidly… We’re the home of the Gamecocks, in case you didn’t already know.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so many people I would want to give credit to, but I will say my younger brother Nathan is my biggest. He is a constant source of inspiration for me because he has Autism and Schizophrenia and he never complains. His life has brought so many challenges to our family and yet wonderful stories. I have learned more from him than a school and I want to highlight that. There were many wonderful teachers I had but my brother has had it worse than most people I have ever met. I like to spend time with him and get to know him when I can. He teaches me patience and the meaning of love in the way that it was meant. It’s not always easy, or fun. But I knew him when he used to not be able to speak or tie his shoes correctly as a young adult. I remember when he used to roam the streets and we had to look for him. When my Mom left and he wonders why no one spends time with him. I feel that in my soul and I see the world look away… not at him specifically, but all of those people with housing challenges and mental issues. My brother is an integral part of how I approach art and life and I want to take this opportunity to say that here. When I make art I am cognizant of the culture and history of art but I challenge it with the mind of one who wonders why things are the way they are.

Website: Wkrbcradio.com

Instagram: Wkrbcradio

Linkedin: Joel Cothran

Image Credits
The photo of myself was taken by Donaven Doughty and used with his permission.