Like a river exposing the secrets of a canyon, Carole Cooke's determination to carve her own path in the world has been a major factor in shaping her career as a fine artist. As a young girl, she spent hours on horseback exploring the creeks and valleys near her hometown of Yorba Linda, California. This freedom to roam the unspoiled countryside combined with memories of family camping trips in the Sierras imbued Cooke with an independent spirit and the abiding love of nature which became the wellspring from which she now draws inspiration for her evocative, plein aire landscapes.

Cooke began her professional career in the film industry, working first as a producer and later finding her niche in the more creative role of Art Director. During this period, she also began to explore her potential as a fine artist. Fired by relentless determination and a dedication to research, Cooke studied the work of European Masters, the Early California Impressionists and the Taos Masters, internalizing their expertise as a means to finding her own artistic voice.

This commitment to achieving excellence in her own creative efforts was rewarded when her work was accepted in the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach in 1997. Soon after, she became an Artist Member of the California Art Club and a Signature Member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. Despite these achievements, Cooke became disenchanted with the growing urban sprawl in her native California, a reality that motivated her move to Pagosa Springs, Colorado in 2001.

Aware that as an artist she is often privileged to explore locations most people will never visit, Cooke has committed herself to painting images that allow her viewers to share the excitement and joy she finds in the pristine beauty of nature. Cooke's hope is that beyond bringing lasting enjoyment, these images will also encourage her viewers to help preserve these vanishing treasures.

Cooke is a participant in exhibitions including the Masters of the American West at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, CA; Western Visions at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, WY; and American Miniatures at Settler's West Galleries in Tucson, AZ. She has been profiled several times in Art of the West, Southwest Art and Western Art Collector Magazines

Resource:
The artist and Pitzer's Fine Arts

Known for her evocative plein air landscapes, Colorado artist Carole Cooke relates, "When I paint on location in remote areas, I feel a sense of unparalleled exhilaration and joy. It is my hope that sharing images of these pristine vistas will not only help my viewers experience a strong connection to nature, but more importantly, will encourage them to join in efforts to preserve these vanishing treasures."

Following a successful career as an Art Director in the film industry, Carole turned her talents to the field of fine art in 1997. Following her own path of discovery and fired by relentless enthusiasm and a dedication to research, she studied the work of European Masters, the Early California Impressionists and the Taos Masters, internalizing their expertise as a means to finding her own artistic voice.

Determined to capture the landscape in its truest sense and to interpret the subtle tones nature presents, Carole paints on location as much as possible knowing observation is the key to that understanding. It is in these wide-open spaces that she is inspired to evoke the peace and amazing tranquility she feels in nature and bring that essence of the outdoors into her paintings. Now that she has found her passion, she cannot imagine her life without painting.

Carole Cooke is a participant in such prestigious annual exhibitions as the Masters of the American West at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, California, The Western Visions Exhibition at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Western Art Show in Wyoming.

Carole has been featured several times in Southwest Art and Art of the West Magazines.

Awards:
Collector's Choice, Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painting, Estes Park CO
Second Place, California Art Club at Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA
Award of Excellence, OPA National Juried Exhibition, Scottsdale, AZ
Honorable Mention, American Plains Artist Grand Miniature Exhibition

Exhibitions:
Masters of the American West, Autry National Center, LA, CA 2005-2010
Settler's West Invitational, Tucson, AZ 2004-2009
Western Visions, Nat'l Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, WY 2002-2009
Paintings from Canyon De Chelly, Eric Firestione Gallery Tucson, AZ 2005
Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painting Exhibition, Estes Park, CO 2003-2005
Tuscon Plein Air 2002, Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ 2002
LPAPA Laguna Art Museum Invitational, Laguna Beach, CA 2000-2003
Top 100 & second 100 Arts for the Parks, Jackson Hole, WY 2001
On Location in Malibu, Frederick R Weisman Museum, CA 1999
California Art Club Exhibits, Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA 1997- 2000
California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition, Pasadena, CA 1997 - 2004
Treasures of the Sierra Nevada, Museum of Natural History, LA , CA1998
Oil Painters of America Nat'l, Washington D.C.1998, Scottsdale, AZ1999
Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach, CA 1998

Recent and Upcoming Exhibitions:

Western Visions
National Museum of Wildlife Art
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
September 2009

Masters of The American West 2010
Autry Museum of Western Heritage
Los Angeles, California
February 2010

Settler's West American Masters Invitational
Settler's West Gallery
Tuscon, Arizona
February 2010

Cheyenne Frontier Days Western Art Show & Sale
Cheyenne Historical Museum
Cheyenne, Wyoming
July 2010

Publications:

An Independent Nature
Featured Artist
Southwest Art Magazine /June 2007

Nurturing Soul
Carole Cooke
Feature article
Art of the West Magazine May/ June 2005

Let It Snow
Featured Artist
Southwest Art Magazine February 2004

For The Love Of The Land
Featured Artist
Art of the West Magazine July/August 2002

Artists To Watch
Southwest Art Magazine April 2000

Treasures Of The Sierra Nevada
Museum of Natural History, Los Angeles, CA
California Art Club Exhibition Catalog

Gallery Representation:
Legacy Gallery
Jackson, Wyoming
307 733-2353
Scottsdale Arizona
480 945-1113