DVAA Member since 2024

Cobalt Violet

2025 DVAA RESIDENT

WEBsite: instagram.com/otis.photis

About:

Cobalt Violet (he/him) is a queer disabled artist and writer based in Philadelphia, PA. He has dabbled in various art mediums since he was old enough to stick his fingers in paint and smear it on the walls like an animal. He took a slight detour to be an aerospace engineer for a few years, changed his mind, and then wandered off to Philly to focus on writing and art.

You can find more of his work on Instagram at @cobalt_violet

Artist Statement:

I make art to breathe. I’ve used it to communicate when I couldn’t fit things in words, I use it to tell stories, to invite people to smile, to make people think. I also make art because it’s fun and I like it. I find inspiration in nature, in walking around a city, and in looking at cute pictures of animals on the internet. The medium I work with the most is watercolor. I love its versatility – it can be subtle or scream, it can be precise or wild and uncontrollable. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy but it can if that’s what you’re going for. I’ve also been getting into drawing and printmaking lately, and I’ve done some ceramics and other mediums in the past.