skip to Main Content

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.

Countryside scene with cows, ducks, and lilacs.

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!

More Info
Red barns in snowy winter landscape.

LA FERME DE CHARLOTTE

Price: 
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 24
in x 28 in

 

LA FERME DE CHARLOTTE’S RED COLORING IS DEFINITELY EYE CATCHING!

More Info
Black and white geometric quilt pattern.

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.

More Info
Buddha meditating with white orchids.

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!

More Info
Two Siamese cats and floral vase painting.

SIAMESE SISTERS

Price: 
Medium: OIL
Size: 
24 in x 24 in

 

DOUBLE THE TROUBLE… WATCH OUT THESE  TWO COULD BE VERY MISCHIEVOUS!!

More Info
Trees reflected in a still lake.

BLUE MIST

Price: sold
Medium: OIL
Size: 
24 in x 24 in

THE REFLECTION OF THE TREES COMING OFF THE WATER IS INCREDIBLE!

More Info
A painting of a dog laying in a garden.

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.

More Info
A painting of a red barn in the middle of a green field.

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.

More Info
A painting of dogs flying in the clouds.

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.

More Info
A painting of a man walking his dog in the snow.

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.

More Info
A painting of people and dogs in a park.

DOG PARK

Price:SOLD 
Medium: Oil on copper
Size: 
18 in x 24 in

More delightful whimsy from Diana that sold immediately. It was an artist’s dream to sell in one day.

More Info
A painting of a woman washing clothes on a line.

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.

More Info
A green butterfly is framed in a black frame.

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.

More Info
A copper butterfly framed in a black frame.

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!

More Info
A blue butterfly in a brown frame.

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

More Info
A painting of a barn in the snow.

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.

More Info
A painting of a white barn in a field.

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!

More Info
A quilted wall hanging with squares of different colors.

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.

More Info
A painting of a man and a dog in a field.

BEST FRIENDS

Diana Cook
Price:sold
Medium: Oil on copper
Size:  6 in. x 6 in.

More Info
A quilt with a brown, green, and blue pattern.

HARLEQUINS GONE CRAZY

Price: $4800
Medium: copper, mixed media
Size: 
48 in x 24 in

More Info
A red rose on a green and red patchwork quilt.

RED ROSE MELANGE

Price: $1800
Medium: copper, mixed media
Size: 16 in x 16 in

More Info
A quilt with butterflies and sunflowers on it.

THE BUTTERFLY COLLECTION

Price: SOLD
Medium: Copper on Board
Size: 44 in x 48 in

More Info
A quilt with pink roses on a green background.

PINK ROSE MELANGE

Price: $2500
Medium: Acrylic, patinated, painted and embossed copper and paper on board.
Size: 24 in. x 24 in.

More Info
Back To Top