behind the brush |
FALL 2022 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 27 |in Columbus, Ohio, the
Georgia Writers Museum in
Eatonton, and the Madison
Morgan Cultural Center
in Madison.
Known for his portraiture,
Cook has created a series of
solemn portraits depicting
soldiers in Vietnam to add
to his varied collections. In
honor of Veterans Day this
November, Lake Oconee
Living sat down with Cook
for a Behind the Brush look
at the inspiration driving his
compelling artwork.
Q: When did your fascination
with art first begin?
A: I have “been an artist” for
as long as I can remember.
I was one of those kids that
didn’t put down the crayons
and markers. I did decide
in college that being a fine
artist was going to be a really
tough route, so I switched
midway to commercial art
and learned a craft that has
allowed me to make a living
and create as well. I have
been a designer and illustrator
and fine artist all my
adult life.
Q: What artistic styles and
methods did you incorporate
into your extensive
portrait series on Vietnam
Veterans?
A: I have created over 30
works on paper and canvas,
in color and black and
white on this single subject,
Vietnam War Soldiers. I have
painted some to look like
oversize polaroids, some very
loose (sketch like) and still
others more realistic.
Q: Thirty pieces all dedicated
to Vietnam Veterans
is a large-undertaking. Is
there a personal component
that drew you to this
focus?
A: I had two uncles that
served in that war. One of
them passed away when I
was around 17 from complications
most likely due
to Agent Orange. My other
uncle has had many health
issues due to the same. I have
always admired them for
their bravery and willingness
to serve our country. I can
vaguely remember seeing
news coverage about the war
on the evening news.
Q: What brought those
childhood experiences and
memories to the forefront
of your artistic endeavors?
A: Most recently, while
watching the TV series “This
Is Us,” some episodes covered
flashbacks of one of the main
characters, Jack, and his
brother, in the Vietnam War.
It just brought it all back to
mind.
Q: What emotion do your
portraits of Vietnam Veterans
elicit for you?
A: I think that I do concentrate
a lot on looking right
into the soldiers’ eyes – as
they say, looking into their
souls. I have captured many
modes, expressions, and emotions
in these portraits. That
is why they are really dear to
me. Some of these men look
exhausted, overwhelmed and
maybe, show a look of longing
for home. I have captured
several that show that we
can adapt to our environment
and get into everyday
routines as well.
Q: What do you hope the
viewer takes away from
your portraits of Vietnam
Veterans?
A: I hope viewers leave with
an overall sense that service-