Carla Cook

On the crest of 50, my camera has a new meaning. The lens has opened to show me the extraordinary beauty of ordinary things. When I look through the lens, I see life from a different perspective. The object at the back of the room calls me to take a closer look. Dust and overgrowth add creative detail to subjects upon closer inspection. Through art I have been given a creative way to express emotion. It is my hope that those who view my art will be provoked to pleasant memories and new experiences

As a child, I drew everything around me. For my 6th grade graduation, I received “The Story of Painting” from my grandmother who always encouraged me to pursue art. In college, I sketched every day. When I was 19, hundreds of my drawings were tragically destroyed. Unconsciously, I didn’t do anything related to art for 17 years. I began drawing again in 1991 when I created a card for the troops in the Persian Gulf War for friends and family to mail to men and women serving overseas. I got busy with life and didn’t think about art again for another 19 years.

I always wanted to take painting lessons but never took the time until my husband presented me with watercolor lessons as a Christmas gift in 2005. I had my first class in March of 2006 and was delighted to become reacquainted with drawing. At first, I did very detailed drawings which I was initially afraid to “mess up” with paint. Later, I let myself go and just played with water and color. This is where I discovered the true joy of painting.