Steve Cook bio
Steve Cook is a painter who specializes in painterly photo-realism. He paints both in the studio and plein-air. The subjects of his work range from land and seascapes, surfing culture, old buildings and cars, gardens and the people who live in all these arenas. He has studied with some of the best modern plein-air painters (Ken Auster, John Comer, George Strickland and Ovanes Berberian). The plein-air experience has enhanced his comprehension of color and light. He also likes to paint big paintings and often does oil paintings using old surfboards as a canvas. His work has been featured at galleries and museums in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Ojai and Ventura. He also has pieces in many private collections in around the world. His paintings have been featured on wine labels for Discoveries Vineyard and Firestone Vineyard for Foley Family Wines. He has worked extensively with the Ventura Visitors Bureau, with his paintings featured on many of their promotional materials and national advertisements. He was in Skywest Magazine as its featured cover artist. Also he was a featured artist in Coastal Living Magazine and was featured in Sunset Magazine. He and his wife Carol (artandsand@blogspot.com), a decorator have also had their work featured in many decorating magazines and publications, nationwide and internationally.
His studio is in Pierpont Beach, Ventura and is always open to visitors (call ahead). He is a life long surfer, a former Peace Corps Volunteer and a graduate of San Diego State University. He also had several years of studying fine art with some of the top faculty at Ventura College. He and his wife Carol (artandsand@blogspot.com) have lived in Ventura for over 40 years and truly enjoy being part of the burgeoning art scene in their hometown.
Artist Statement
My art is about interpretation of what I see. My favorite views are of the beauty of California and the relationship between man and nature in that environment.
My painting is mainly about the process. Defining the reality into a two-dimensional piece is the task. How to combine composition, light, color, and texture as various pieces is the challenge. The challenge turns into the process and this process is the Zen of painting. Washes of value, light and dark, cool and warm begin the expedition, followed by subsequent layers in washes and pure paint. The result is an object or image that was non-existent before I started except perhaps in my mind. More frequently than not, my impressionist perspective evolves into realism… painterly realism.
Very often I am in conflict with myself when I sell a painting, as it feels as if a part of me is going away. I just appreciate that others enjoy my work and will make a good home for it.
@stevecookfineart (Instagram)
805 701-5506