- Robert John Cook
Robert John Cook is a prolific Artist, talented Musician, and accomplished Author, born in 1956 on the coast of Rhode Island. His portfolio as an American landscape and seascape painter varies. He moved to the seaside community of Scituate, Massachusetts when he was 10 years old. It was during his years living in Scituate and spending many hours on the beach that Robert became enamored with the beauty and majesty of the ocean.
Robert John Cook uses palette knife, brush and oil paint to create landscapes and seascapes, layering color to create texture and depth-and an ever evolving painting- inviting the viewer to explore his work and discover using their own interpretations what they see. His technique captures the ever changing moods of nature.
Since childhood Robert has pursued his passion for art through photography, sketching, painting with watercolor and oil paints. During his young adult years he traveled to Santa Fe to study painting and sculpture of renowned artist Michael Andryc at Andryc’s studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1981 and returned to study with Andryc in 1994 and 2001. The beauty of the dessert and the vibrant colors of New Mexico influence many of his paintings. Robert attended college at The University of New Orleans and lived in the city for many years before returning to New England and settling in New Hampshire. While he lived in southern New Hampshire Robert worked as an Engineer in Europe- Switzerland, England, Italy and Germany- visiting museums and painting in the same spots where his favorite painters created their masterpieces- Van Gogh, Seurat….
Robert moved to Cape Cod, the bucolic peninsula known to many vacationers and home to many artists, including the sculptor Harry Holl, a man who has influenced Robert’s work in pottery and sculpture, in 2004. He has been a member of many art associations, juried shows, and juried membership into premier guilds; he has curated shows at the Cape Museum of Art including the largest attended show in museum history, “The Salon Refuses” in 2009 Robert has also used his art to assist veterans returning home with his weekly television program Welcome Home. Which matches an artist with a veteran using the artistic process as one means of therapy and escapism. Robert also hosts his own podcast on iTunes titled The Art of Robert John Cook
Robert’s passion for the sea transcends his artwork and is an integral part of his daily life. He lives just steps from a river which leads to the Atlantic Ocean. He enjoys kayaking on the river or sailing his antique sailboat to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket for the weekend. This summer he plans to sail once again around the Cape stopping off in Falmouth Harbor, Wellfleet Harbor and Hyannis Harbor.
Robert’s other outlets include folk music and writing. He enjoys playing his Martin Guitar, writing songs and performing live across Cape Cod. He produced his first CD, “Ta-Dah”, and his second CD is currently in production. Robert has researched his family tree – branches reaching from The Mayflower and Indians to County Galway, Ireland- and wrote a book titled, PRIDE.
Robert spend his time playing his guitar, writing, spending time with his family and of course painting.
Robert John Cook graduated at the top of his class from a local community college in 1978 with an Associate of Arts, and later the University of New Orleans. His deep passion since childhood for the visual arts led Robert to study painting and sculpture of renowned artist Michael Andryc at Andryc’s studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1981, 1994, and 2000. Robert continued his studies in painting through the influence of Larry Horowitz, and the sculpture of Harry Holl at the Cape Cod Museum of Art. It was through studying these two masters Robert learned how to listen to his own voice and enjoy his own very unique style.
Robert John Cook has been honored with juried shows, and juried membership into premier guilds. He currently serves, or has served, on the Board of Directors of the Cape Cod Arts Association, Nauset Painters Guild, Cape Cod Celtic Society, and the Yarmouth Art Guild. He is a member of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, the Cape Cod Museum of Art, and former chairman of the Yarmouth Historical Commission.
A descendant of five Pilgrims, including William Brewster, Robert John Cook captures his amazing art in a sort-after series of unique drawings, paintings, and sculpture that meaningful traverse his ancestral heritage. Respective of his forefather Pilgrims, Robert draws with pen & ink, paints with a palette knife, and uniquely captures sculpture in clay, bronze, wood, and found objects. Always imaginative, Robert John Cook began his art during childhood and has remained a serious artist ever since.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
“All of my work is original and inspired by my imagination. I am in love with the opportunity to create, to make something from nothing. The thrill of creative accomplishment consumes me, whether it’s my art, music, or writing. To create has been my life-long passion, I believe to enjoy leaving our mark is the most important aspect of life — this purpose drives me to draw my pen & inks, paint with my palette knife, and bury my fingers deep into my sculpture. And there is no better place to enjoy this level of excitement than Cape Cod. I am energized to create in the same area that my Pilgrim forefathers did.
PROFESSIONAL AFFLIATIONS & SHOWS (past/present)
February and March 2010 Shows
Wide Open, New York Juried Art Show
The Art of Spiritual Gifts, Cape Musuem of Art
· Cape Cod Art Association
· Cape Cod Museum Of Art
· Nauset Painters Guild
· Yarmouth Art Guild
· Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
· All Cape Cod Perspectus Exhibit
· Cape Cod Cultural Center Exhibit
What Others are Saying:
“Robert John Cook exudes creative energy. Whether painting, making music or pitching an idea, the South Yarmouth artist seems perpetually on the verge of creating something new.” Cape Cod Times
“Robert John Cook, a creative renaissance man in his own right as a painter, muscisian, sculptor and writer, college trained engineer and former General Electric employee(and while he doesn;t admit it, philosopher) has fashioned a broad outline in his weekly television show“ Barnstable Patriot
“I want to applaud the efforts of Robert John Cook and all of the veterans’ organizations and artists’ groups who are participating in this new and exciting initiative.” US Congressman Wiliam Delahunt
“With unsold work hanging on the walls of his Cape Cod gallery, Mayflower Studio in Yarmouth… With the Dow diving, nobody seemed willing to slap down a thousand dollars for one of Robert John Cook color-splashed landscape. But instead of wallowing, the artist took action. He slashed his prices in half and suddenly, buyers emerged. One woman bought a half dozen of his oil paintings in a recent show.” Boston Globe
“If creative juices are an elixir for downhearted or physically compromised veterans, then artist Robert John Cook wants to share a bowl with them.” Barnstable Patriot
“It’s amazing. it’s too f***ing awesome. thanks again so much- it’s too cool to see one of my photos come to life. thanks again sooo much.” Bil Lane -Jackson Browne’s Recording Enginner
Robert John Cook, Cape Cod Artist 