Shelly Cook 49, was born in Reading but with family roots in Cornwall, she finally felt she came ‘home’ 25 years ago. Cornwall’s rugged industrial landscapes, beautiful coastlines and rich mineral heritage have driven her creatively for all these years, however, it was only after a succession of untimely bereavements and changes to her life that she picked up a paintbrush, discovering a positive way to process her grief. She has painted prolifically since, producing a large body of highly personal work connecting her love of the natural world and human emotion, with a focus on texture and the transformations of age and decay.
Although finding painting later in life, and a working mum to three children, she has exhibited locally over the years and is currently an exhibiting artist in Create Gallery at The Bedruthan Steps Hotel & Spa, has been involved in The Impulsemovement’s virtual online exhibition ‘Unmasked’ and has been a contributing artist in the book ‘Women Inspiring Quotes and Artistic Responses’.
Self-taught or art school?
Self-Taught. I have always been creative but only found a love for painting in the last 4 years when it became a focus to channel my grief from a succession of untimely bereavements, plus, the emotional and physical challenges I have started to go through with ‘middle-age’
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
It would be Klimt’s The Three Ages Of Woman. I have always loved the detailed reproduction of ‘Mother and Child’. As a young woman, it awoke in me the longing for nurture and unconditional love that comes from motherhood. The painting as a whole though, representing the passage of time, the juxtaposition of the young mother and old woman is heartbreaking to me, perhaps more so because of Klimt’s portrayal of the ‘crone’ phase seems one of grief rather than one of accomplishment and wisdom.
How would you describe your style?
Abstract textures. Notably inspired by the textures and colours of life and decay.
Is narrative important within your work?
No, not really. My paintings are based purely on the details and textures I see around me, invoking feelings rather than a story. Personally, I feel my work is firmly based on ageing and decay. However, the titles I give the piece can become the narrative as they often represent my emotional state at the time, and therefore become a more personal thing rather than just colour and texture.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
Gustav Klimt for his rich and sumptuous paintings of women, especially The Three Ages of Woman, Death and Life and Danae. Anselm Kiefer for his diverse use of materials in his work, creating huge textural and controversial reminders of Germany’s past. Last but not least Tracey Emin for her absolute candid study of her truth and proving that art is therapy and vulnerability is strength.
What or who inspires your art?
I am inspired by the beauty in the broken, the lost and forgotten. Whether it be layers of decay in a rusting object, the abandoned building that holds secrets and stories, the colours and textures of life. I find the bark and lichen of the tree far more beautiful than the forest itself. Striations of rock, folds of fabric and wrinkles of skin. I am constantly aware of the passing of time and fascinated by the cycles and transformation that age brings.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
Ahhh I dream of a studio… I started off painting in my tiny ‘craft room’, spread to my kitchen, my lounge and anywhere else that will have me….
Do you have any studio rituals?
Ha! It is a rare occurrence to have any peace and quiet these days to formulate rituals, so I take what I can when I can, sometimes with music but silence is a rare comfort to me, but it usually involves either red wine or coffee and staring at the canvas a lot.
What are you working on currently?
Always multi-tasking at least 3 canvases on the go. I rarely have a plan, my work is more intuitively driven, laying down a texture without a conscious idea of what it will become but I find my themes lately are more driven towards a more analytical study of my own ageing process and how that is impacting on my emotional and physical self.
Where can we buy your art?
You can contact me through my website www.shellycookabstractart.co.uk or Instagram page www.instagram.com/shellycookabstracts