Full Artist Bio
I have an affinity for things and places with a history. I like muted paint finishes, crackled varnish, worn leather, and oxidized metal. I love interiors with an eclectic mix of antique furnishings and personal treasures. Carved woodwork, layers of faded textiles, walls of old prints and paintings are comfortingly alluring. Antique shows and flea markets are a favorite haunt where I collect vintage fabrics, wallpapers and ephemera to use in my work. The search for materials is as satisfying to me as the creative process: the cutting and arranging as fulfilling as any brushstroke. There is a visual excitement that happens when many disparate patterns, images, colors and textures are combined to form a harmonious whole that I want to create in my work.
In my new work, I am exploring the place between decorative and fine art, and figurative and abstract art. I don’t start with a final vision, but use a repetitive pattern to create a structure; I then intuitively add collected material and paint. I find collage to be a liberating medium. I love being able to rearrange things and it allows me the freedom to move in other directions and be open to unexpected discoveries. My goal is that my work will feel simultaneously historic and modern, that it will connect the viewer to the past, but invite them to see it in a new way.
Technical information
26 years as a decorative painter has given me an opportunity to employ many different materials and techniques. I first used metal patinas when I was commissioned to create a verdigris finish on some wall sconces. Recently, I have been experimenting with the variety of colors and textures that can be achieved on copper with solutions used to speed up the oxidation process. The oxidation occurs naturally on some metals over long exposure to air and water. I find copper appealing as a collage material in that it is easily cut, glued and tacked.
I use scrap copper sheets, which come in small pieces of varying thicknesses. The copper has protective oil based coating and a smooth reflective finish that will not accept patinas. The surface must be abraded and cleaned, so I sand the copper front and back with rotary sander and 40 grit sand paper, then wipe the piece down with a metal cleaner.
The patina solutions produce a green, blue, brown or black film on the surface of copper and similar metals and can be applied hot or cold, but I use primarily cold patinas. They are applied with a sprayer, sponge or brush and it is preferable to do work outside. The chemicals are corrosive and the vapors harmful, so protective gloves, goggles and mask are essential. The solutions can be mixed with colored dyes to create a wide range of colors. Once the patina has been allowed to fully develop, a process that happens anywhere from a few minutes to overnight, I spray a solvent based acrylic resin varnish with UVLS to protect the surface and help bond the patina to the copper. Finally, I cut the copper to the size I need, glue it and add weights to the surface to ensure a good bond to the wood support.
THE JOY OF SPRING
Price:
Medium: Oil
Size: 19 in x 24 in
A WONDERFUL SPRING PIECE, CAPTURES THE FRESH AIR, COLOR, AND CHEER THAT SPRING BRINGS!
LA FERME DE CHARLOTTE
Price:
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 24 in x 28 in
LA FERME DE CHARLOTTE’S RED COLORING IS DEFINITELY EYE CATCHING!
HOUSETOPS IN WINTER
Price:
Medium: Mixed Media
Size: 36 in x 46 in
19TH AND 20TH CENTURY METALS WITH VINTAGE MUSIC AND HAND WRITING INFUSED TO THE SURFACE.
BUDDHA WITH ORCHIDS
Price:
Medium: Mixed Media
Size: 24 in x 36 in
A COMBINATION OF OIL AND MIXED MEDIA … GIVING A WIDE RANGE OF TEXTURES AND COLORS. BEAUTIFULLY DONE!
SIAMESE SISTERS
Price:
Medium: OIL
Size: 24 in x 24 in
DOUBLE THE TROUBLE… WATCH OUT THESE TWO COULD BE VERY MISCHIEVOUS!!
OSCAR
Price: sold
Medium: Mixed media on gold leaf
Size: 24 in x 32 in
Diana Cook lived in a firehouse with a lovely surround garden. Oscar, her best friend for many years, passed on. As part of her recovery, Diana painted Oscar in his favorite spot…….in her garden. It has brought a bit of peace during his absence. The idea came to her that others might like their pet immortalized on their favorite bed or with their favorite toys etc.
This is a special offer for you to consider.
MANCHESTER FARM
Price:
Medium: Oil on Panel</>
Size: 20in x 60 in
A wonderfully serene view of the farm life. One feels like they can walk into this warm, homey setting. Diana’s talent is at its best.
DOG HEAVEN
Price:
Medium: Oil on Panel>
Size: 18in x 24 in
A sweet and touching tribute to all our best friends who went ahead and wait for us. Furry friends frolicking in a fleecy cloudscape.
A WALK IN THE SNOW
Price:SOLD
Medium: Oil on copper>
Size: 8 in x 10 in
Winter walks offer a silence foreign to any other time of year. True silence. A lovely feeling of peace and friendship emits when viewing this little gem.
LAUNDRY DAY
Price:SOLD
Medium: Oil on copper>
Size: 6 in x 15 in
A charming whimsy that was sold in hours and disappointed the others who didn’t react quickly enough. Hopefully another laundry day will occur in the future.
VIRIDIAN BUTTERFLY
Price:$495
Medium: Patinated copper>
Size: 9 in x 9 in
Delightful butterflies to set off a spot for a spring view.
Green Butterfly is a sweet colored example and one I love.
BURNT SIENNA BUTTERFLY
Price:sold
Medium: Patinated copper>
Size: 9 in x 9 in
Here is a butterfly that is multi colored of copper hues and hints of bronze. Fascinating!
COBALT BUTTERFLY
Price:sold
Medium: Patinated copper>
Size: 9 in x 9 in
I have seen small clouds of blue butterflies and found them magical
THE SPACE IN BETWEEN
Price: sold
Medium: Mixed media on gold leaf
Size: 24 in x 24 in
A very interest selection in Diana Cook’s STILL STANIDNG COLLECTION.
It is a very unusual structure. I have never seen a crib for hops flowers….but it must have worked well. And now it is scheduled for a new career as the hops industry returns to the area.
THE HOPS BARN
Price: sold
Medium: Mixed media on gold leaf
Size: 24 in x 24 in
A historic structure from mid New York state existent during the Hops Industry which is now being resurrected. A beautiful tribute!
CRAZY CORNERS
Price:SOLD
Medium: patinated copper
Size: 44 in x 51 in
A spectacular geometrically organized piece that will stun you. A must see especially for you quilt lovers.
PINK ROSE MELANGE
Price: $2500
Medium: Acrylic, patinated, painted and embossed copper and paper on board.
Size: 24 in. x 24 in.