|
John
Cook began his fine art
career in 1990 at the age of 49, inspired early by the paintings
of Russian-American artist Nicolai Fechin. Later
influences included artists John Singer Sargent, Frank Brangwyn
and Winslow Homer, as well as the still life and florals of
Henry Fatin Latour.
By drawing with a brush rather than pencil, Cook achieves the
loose and free style that characterizes his work. Never
belabored, each painting reflects his passion to catch a mood
with the interplay of light and shade.
Nothing is too small or too large to attempt, as reflected in
his diverse range of subject matter: from still life to
portraits to landscapes, architecture and his native-Texas
Western imagery. Trips to London, Paris and San Francisco also
produced many of Cook's paintings, even inspiring two special
shows of his work at Dallas' Victorian Gallery, Inc.
Among his accolades, Cook was selected for The One Show by the
Art Directors Club of New York; the Illustrators Shows in
Dallas, Los Angeles, Denver and New York; and the prestigious
Top 100 for the National Park Services' "Arts for the Parks"
project in 1991. Born in 1941 in Dallas, Cook grew up near
Highland Park and attended school at the University of Arlington
and the Art Center School of Los Angeles.
In his initial career as an illustrator, Cook's work was in
demand by advertising agencies and their high-profile clients,
including American Airlines, CBS, Neiman Marcus and Disney Epcot
Center. In 1990, he put aside his illustrator's pens and inks
and pursued his heart's desire: a career as a painter.
Married in 1970
to Jean, a deeply religious, devoted family man, Cook says,
“Painting is not the most important thing in my life, but I
consider to be able to pursue painting for a living truly a
special gift and blessing from God, who is the most important
being in my life!”
Previous |
