Meet Deante “deecor” Howard | Painter and Muralist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deante “deecor” Howard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deante “Deecor”, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite quote is my own “ The hustle will make the dream the reality!” It’s my motto, inspired by James 2:24”…Faith without works is dead” I believe with God and discipline nothing is impossible. You can’t just have faith…you can’t just have a dream…you have to take action – you have to put in work, you have to step out on that faith or it’s not real.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Im not sure if I was supposed to pick one or 2 of those are all – so I’ll answer all of them lol. My art is about honoring the relentless pursuit of greatness. I paint athletes because they represent the personification of my motto…you can’t accidentally become a professional athlete. The ones who push beyond limits and inspire others to do the same. Each piece is more than just a painting; it’s a story of resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of something bigger than yourself. I strive to capture and express that energy that you feel that passion and inspiration every time you see my art.

What sets my work apart is the emotion behind it. I don’t just capture an athlete’s likeness—I capture their journey, their struggles, their triumphs with bright, vivid colors. I want people to feel something when they look at my work, whether it’s nostalgia, inspiration, or a reminder of their own dreams. My attention to detail, bold colors, and the energy in my brushstrokes all contribute to that feeling.

I didn’t get here easily. My path to becoming an artist was unexpected. As a kid, I had dreams of being an athlete myself, but a neck surgery at 14 ended that path. It was devastating, but in hindsight, it was a redirection. I found my passion in art, and over the years, I I honed my skills—practicing , practicing, practicing and finding my own unique voice.

The challenges were plenty—learning how to find my people, financial struggles, learning how to turn my passion into a business—but I overcame them by staying committed, trusting the process, and most importantly, keeping my faith strong. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that adversity is just preparation. Every setback was shaping me into the artist and entrepreneur I am today.

What I want the world to know is that my art features mostly athletes, it isn’t just about sports—it’s about perseverance, inspiration , and the power of never giving up. Whether you’re an athlete, an entrepreneur, or someone chasing a dream, I hope my work reminds you that greatness is possible when you keep pushing forward.

And finally, my brand isn’t just about selling paintings—it’s about impact. A portion of my proceeds goes to faith-based humanitarian efforts, and my goal is to use my art to inspire, uplift, and give back. At the end of the day, it’s not just about what I create—it’s about the lives I can touch through it. I try to create inspiration and inspire creation.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is tough. I’m a home body, I spend most of my time with my family or my church. For dates my wife and I like to try new places for food but other than that it’s simple things, walk in the park, movies…we don’t drink and most things that people find “exciting “ don’t excite or interest us. We may go bowl, laser tag or go karting – with or without the kids. We love breakfast foods so we would go to places like Snooze or Big Biscuit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to start by giving credit and a huge shoutout to God. I could literally not be here today. The challenges I’ve faced—like the neck surgery that changed the course of my life, almost being hit with bullets not intended for me…more than once, to a crazy story of me at the age of 1 being covered ina white substance that was not baby powder (not sure what the censor words are )—any of that and so much more could have broken me…or taken life away from me, but instead, they led me to my purpose. Every brushstroke is a reflection of that journey, and I give Him the glory for where I am today.

Next shout out is to my family—my dad, my wife, my brother and sister and my kids. Their love, support, and encouragement have been the foundation of everything I do. My dad instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience, and faith, which shaped the way I approach my art and my business. My wife has been my rock, pushing me forward, believing in me through the ups and the downs, and sacrificing alongside me to make this dream a reality. My brother and sister invested in my dreams and helped me to actually get started, And my kids inspire me daily—they remind me why I chase this dream, not just for myself but to show them that anything is possible with faith, determination and dedication.

And finally, a huge shoutout to the collectors, fans, and supporters who have believed in my work. Every purchase, every share, every message of encouragement—it all fuels this journey, and I wouldn’t be here without that support

Website: https://Www.deecor.design

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howard.d.artist/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/@Imajinayshun/

Image Credits
All photos or by me, using a timer and my cellphone