Painting is how I become mindful of my experience, and work through inner obstacles. I explore the interplay of motion and memory with the present moment, and trust that others will relate to these relics of poetic experimentation.
In the spirit of the impressionists, my oil paintings prioritize color theory and texture over representational content. Abstract choices are made to communicate directly with the emotive subconscious, while narrative aspects are included for their personal symbolism and to invoke dream-like association.
Each painting begins intuitively, often inspired by live observation, and is increasingly explored for meaning that will guide its own creation.
Christopher L Cook (CLCook) b.1991
Childhood
Many of Christopher's memories were made on the road exploring the California coast, Arizona's forests and deserts, and National Parks. Frequent visits to the science center, and art museums imparted a formative interest in color theory. At home lessons, independent study, and creative pursuits were his primary education, while public school was just a place he went during the day to see friends. A love of learning and of nature were important values that Christopher held close.
The emotional environment however was one of personal and familial conflicts, which revealed inconsistencies between ideology and practice in his role models, echoed in religion, government, and the broader culture. Christopher felt a keen sensitivity to the juxtaposition of joy and cruelty around every corner, and developed a lasting interest in psychology.
Teenage Years
With close friends, he led a subversive group of humanist guerrilla artists bringing poetry, theater, and visual arts to unsuspecting public spaces. Together they would debate on such topics as how to lead an authentic life, how to manage one’s own domestication, and the role of art. These formative years and motivations, shared by his young cohort, continue to play an integral part in CLCook’s artistic vision.
While pursuing a degree in the field of psychology, his self-directed extra curricular studies routinely took precedence over participation in formal curriculum. It did not take long after first picking up oil painting as an elective, to realize his calling into the unconventional life of an artist. His commitment to art grew quickly as he sought out like minded artists to learn from.
Career
Today Christopher is an internationally collected artist living in the Pacific North West. He teaches and speaks publicly, with dedication to artistic evolution and personal development within the art community.
2024 - Artist CV
EDUCATION
2015 - 2019 CAC Mentorship Program, Los Angeles, CA,
2012 - 2018 David C. Gallup Art, Ventura, CA, 2012 - 2018
EXHIBITIONS
2024 Acquisition and Permanent Public Display, Orting Manor, Orting, WA
2023 The Title Is Thick, Base Camp Studios, Seattle, WA
B.Y.O.C. Build Your Own Collection, Buckham Gallery, Flint, MI
2022 Solo Exhibition: Lost in Plain Sight, Base Camp Studios, Seattle, WA
Great Annual NW Art Exhibition, Matzke Fine Art & Sculpture Park, Camano
Island, WA
A Perfect Gift, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, CA
2021 110th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Hilbert Museum of California Art, Orange, CA
Mars: An Artistic Mission, California Art Club, Pasadena, CA
How to Remember 2020, Art Show International, Los Angeles, CA
WVAG Open Juried Show, Westlake Village Art Guild, Westlake, CA
Welcome to California, California Art Club, Pasadena, CA
2020 A Summer Getaway, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, CA
A Collector’s Feast, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, CA
2018 On Location in Malibu, Frederick Weisman Museum of Art, Malibu, CA
107th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, CA
A Journey Along the California Coast, The Old Mill, San Marino, CA
2017 Fleeting Moments, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, CA
Golden State Splendor, Santa Paula Art Museum, Santa Paula, CA
106th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Autry National Center Museum, Burbank, CA
The Plein Air Perspective, Millard Sheets Art Center, Pomona, CA
2016 Reflections in Water, Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art, Moraga, CA
The Old Mill: Celebrating Two Centuries, The Old Mill, San Marino, CA
105th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Autry National Center Museum, Burbank, CA
Art in A Free Society, San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center, Tarzana, CA
Traversing the Globe, The Old Mill, San Marino, CA
2015 On Location in Malibu, Frederick Weisman Museum of Art, Malibu, CA
2012 Rancho Boca De Santa Monica, The Kuruvungna Springs, Los Angeles, CA
HONORS & PUBLICATIONS
Frankie Katafias. “Around The Sound” KIRO 7 News, June 2024
Select Vendor Partnership at Willows Lodge, Weddings In Woodinville, February 2024
Emily Sweet. “William Ross Rust Mansion Hosts Playful Purple Nuptials” Washington Wedding Day, January 2024
Talent Prize Award, Art Show International’s Exhibition, How to Remember 2020, March
2021
Painting California: Seascapes and Beach Towns, Skira Rizzoli publication with essays by Molly Siple and Jean Stern, October 2017
Christopher Cook. “Plain Air: Your Hidden Reflection in Art” The Plein Air, distributed by
Santa Paula Art Museum, Fall 2017
Bonnie Gangelhoff. “21 Under 31 Young Artists to Collect Now” Southwest Art Magazine, September 2016
Bob Bahr. “PleinAir Salon Winners” PleinAir Magazine, August 2016
Best Artist Under 30, PleinAir Salon Art Competition, May 2016
Emerging Artist Winner, Art Muse Award, presented by Kim Lordier, April 2016
Molly Siple. “Highlighting the Younger Set at the Gold Medal” California Art Club Newsletter, Spring 2016
RELEVANT POSITIONS
Resident Live Painter, Oyhut Bay Seaside Resort, Ocean Shores, WA 2024
Preferred Vendor, Falling Water Gardens, Monroe, WA 2023 - 2024
Recruiter and Artist Member, EbbTide CoOp Gallery, Gig Harbor, WA 2023 - 2024
Guest Curator, Base Camp Studios, Seattle, WA 2023
Co-organizer and Lecturer, Art Lovers Social Group, Seattle, WA 2022 - 2024
Instructor, Destination: Art, Torrence, CA 2021
Chairman, California Art Club: Mentorship Program, Pasadena, CA 2017 - 2021
Assistant Instructor to Peter Adams, Carmel Visual Arts, Carmel CA 2019
Instructor, Partnership for Success, Pasadena, CA 2016 - 2018
Private Workshop Teacher, Los Angeles, CA
Plein Air Instructor, Leo Carrillo SP, Malibu, CA 2015 - 2020
Assistant Instructor to Michael Obermeyer, Laguna Beach, CA 2016
Assistant Instructor to Jim McVickers, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 2016
REPRESENTATION
American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, CA
Base Camp Studios, Seattle, WA
Bird Dog Arts, Arvin, CA
EbbTide CoOp Gallery, Gig Harbor, WA
LECTURES
Artist Talk and Demo, Garden Party & Auction for Hope Village Global, Orting Manor, Orting, WA, June 2024
Artist Talk and Demo, Composing from Photography - Wedding Reception, EbbTide Gallery, Gig Harbor, WA, May 2024
Artist Talk and Demo, Bridal Portrait Painting, EbbTide Gallery, Gig Harbor, WA, March 2024
Artist Talk, Qualities of A Masterpiece, Seattle Public Library, Seattle, WA, Feb 2023
Artist Talk, Lost in Plain Sight, Base Camp Studios, Seattle, WA, December 2022
Artist Panel and Demo, Anacapa Island Landscapes: Peter Adams, Christopher Cook, Karl Dempwolf, Chuck Kovacic, Calvin Liang, California Art Club, Pasadena, CA, January 2021
Artist Talk, Westlake Village Art Guild, Westlake Village, CA, January 2021
Artist Talk, The California Club, Los Angeles, CA, November 2018
Lecture Series, Creative Awakening, Courtyard by Marriott, Thousand Oaks, CA, September 2017
Artist Interview with Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, CA, April 2017
Artist Talk and Demo, Redondo Beach Art Group, Redondo, CA, January 2017
Artist Talk and Demo, Plein Air Convention, Monterey Conference Center, April 2015
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