Meet The Artist

My name is Deante "Deecor" Howard! My childhood was divided between two passions: sports and art. However, at the tender age of 14, a spinal illness abruptly ended my athletic aspirations! God made a pivot, which I didn’t know at the time, steering my focus towards the world of art, and I honed my drawing skills during recovery. I never planned to be an artist because I was raised in an environment where success as an artist, especially for someone like me…a young black boy from the hood of Kansas City, seemed like an unattainable dream. So, art, while I loved it…was just a hobby.

Yet, a chance encounter in 2020 with a successful artist who shared my background reignited that dormant passion. In 2021, I decided to give art a real shot, while continuing my job in Medicare insurance. As I maintained my corporate job, I began selling his artwork on the side. I received an unexpectedly positive response very quickly.

God’s hand was in motion

In 2022, God intervened when I was laid off from my job. Rather than despairing, I took this as a blessing and embraced the opportunity to focus on my art full-time. To my delight, my artwork resonated with audiences, leading to commissions, media features, and recognition across borders.But beyond the accolades, my true motivation lies in spreading joy, inspiration, encourage and hope through my paintings. Every stroke is infused with a message of resilience and optimism. This is why I continues to create art today.

The Name

I am an artist in every sense of the word, from music to dance to acting… I am also a poet and I love to play on words. I am often called Dee by those who know me, and the core of a person is their heart. Playing on that idea and the fact that art meant to adorn your walls is sometimes called decor, I combined those things to become Deecor because in each piece I gives you something from my core, artwork from my heart to your walls.

Accomplishments

-Traveled and painted across Mexico and Colombia from March 2022 to December 2022.

-Commissioned work for celebrities including but not limited to| Walter Jones, Lady London, Brodric Thomas, and Ronald Acuña Jr., Shaq, Patrick Mahomes

-I have done indoor and outdoor Murals across the US and in 3 different countries outside the U.S.

-Selected for a live painting event at the NFL Draft in 2023.

-Featured in numerous publications and media outlets. Click here to see Press page

-Won awards for Best in Show in Mexico and Colombia, along with local humanitarian recognition for his philanthropic efforts.

-Won Kansas City People’s Choice Award for Best Visual Artist in 2024

-Licensed art for clothing with Shein, sold out in 15 countries.

- There is more but you don’t have all day… I get it.