Artist in oil and watercolour, pastel and black-and-white, born in Cardiff, south Wales. From 1970 he was a freelance portrait painter. Cownie studied at Kingston School of Art and Manchester Regional College of Art. His group shows included Alderley Gallery; Royal Exchange and Colin Jellicoe Galleries, Manchester; and Weaver Gallery, Weaverham. His series of solo exhibitions included Salford Art Gallery; Pitcairn Gallery, Knutsford; Howarth Gallery, Accrington; and University of Manchester. His portraits included the singer Sir Geraint Evans and the astronomer Sir Bernard Lovell. Reynards Ltd and Barr’s Soft Drinks Ltd hold his work. Lived in Pwllheli, Gwynedd.