2013 has been a memorable year for me… to say the least.
If there ever was a time when life takes a turn, a big turn, this year was that for me. I would have to say that 2013 will always be remembered as a year of change for me. Some things for the better, others not so much. But that’s the same for all of us I suppose. As my friend Frank likes to remind me… “Life is a never-ending series of temporary events.”
In many ways the year started out like most others; art, drawing, paintings, a few shows and lots of writing. So rather than share every little happening with you here, I’m going to run through the important stuff and bring you all up to date.
I started the out out by returning to art media of past, creating new figurative works in soft pastel and oil pastel.
VALENTINE – In celebration of LOVE… 24″ x 36″, pastel on sanded pastel paper. Completed and signed on 2/14/13.
Bliss – 36″ x 24″, oil pastel on sanded pastel paper.
Watch for a new series of pastel creations in 2014.
In March I teamed up with ArtisticLifestyles Gallery in Las Vegas to showcase and represent my art.
NIRVANA, TRUTH, NIRVANA and INFINITY at ArtisticLifestyles, Las Vegas.
Kathryn and Dargo
On a personal note, probably the most epic changes in my life this past year was the departure of my wife and dog. After 29 years together Kathryn and I parted ways. We divorced in April and she has since moved on while I’ve decided to remain in Las Vegas. April was an especially tough month for me as my dog Dargo passed away too. She was 15.
On a more uplifting note, I enjoyed some quality time in at Arizona Bike week hanging out with the motorcycle crowd.
Gabriela – 17″ x 14″ drawing on Bristol paper – 2013 © A.D. Cook. Bell Collection.
FAST FORWARD - 36″ x 60″, original painting on canvas © 2013 – Red Rock H-D Collection, Las Vegas, NV
Years ago, I did a series of motorcycle paintings — big epic original artworks celebrating the passion and freedom of the two-wheel lifestyle. I enjoyed creating them, mostly I think because they represented something I was (and still am) passionate about – motorcycles and the culture and lifestyle that surrounds them. I love that world and still have lifelong friends through my connection to the American motorcycle community.
After wrapping up the motorcycle series I shifted gears and went a couple different directions, reconnecting with abstract art and celebrating timeless beauty with my decade long series of figurative paintings. I started my life-size and larger nudes on canvas and metal in 2003, and I have no doubt that I’ll create art nudes until I can paint no more.
Sometimes though, life presents you with a renewed vision and opportunity. Vision because the subject of attention is in alignment with a passion. in this case, I truly love exotic cars. I always have. You only have to read past Blog posts to see that. The design cues and graceful lines of exotic cars are often inspired by beautiful woman. Fast Forward to 2013. My newest creation features a beautiful lady in her own right – the Ferrari FF, Ferrari’s only four wheel drive four seater – in this case a 2012 model in pearl white, which I recently had the opportunity to experience first-hand and create a painting in celebration.
I started the design and layout of my coffee table book “Muse, a celebration of truth and beauty” this year. My coffee table book featuring a selection of my favorite art nude paintings and thoughts and perspective on both art and muse is nearing completion and will be available soon.
I recently took time to create my creative timeline on Facebook. A selection of my artworks from the last couple decades or so are represented from my creative journey and chronicles my art from abstracts to motorcycle paintings to figurative art and everything else along the way from 1993 to current works. I’m excited to share my creative journey with you at Facebook.com/ADCookArtSales
And finally, most recently, I just moved into a house with fellow artist Michael Wardle. We’re just getting settled and I’m setting up the studio. I’m really looking forward to a creative 2014.
I really had no idea until now that I had written so many Blog posts this year. My Blog posts from 2013 (in order of posting):
Nude Beauty Nude
Second Saturday Art Show
Shorty Awards
Muse — My Celebration of Truth and Beauty
Creative Energy Exchange – Superbowl Style
Legendary Luminaries
Hearts on Fire
Valentine
Be There! Be Fabulous!
FIRE 2013
Bliss
ArtisticLifestyles + A.D. Cook
RAW Discovery ART Show at ACT Nighclub
My Birthday Art Show
Social Register Art Mixer
ONE NIGHT for ONE DROP
My Favorite Art Magazines
Figuratively Speaking
Forever Inspired
Sublime and Oblivious
Arizona Bike Week
In Loving Memory
Kindred Spirits
Canada, Oh Canada
Backdraft Staycation
Creating A Better World For Children
Social Media Directory
Google Image Search
Father’s Day Tribute
The Master of the Muse
Drawn to Beauty
IPCPR
Art Fundraising Event
Fast Forward
Las Vegas Auto-Fashion
ArtisticLifestyles One Year Celebration
Barrett-Jackson Opening Night Party
Barrett-Jackson World’s Greatest Collector Car Auction
Fast Forward >> Start to Finish
‘Tis the Season for Art
4th Annual Italian Sports Car Day
Battle of the Strands 2013
designMINDS and ArtisticLifestyles
Picture Perfect Paintings
ADCook.com Turns 17
Limited Edition… Backdraft
Limited Edition… Solstice
Limited Edition… Ardor
Collector Series Editions & More…
Muse Celebration Update…
Collector Series – Luxe
SEMA 2013 – Las Vegas
Thanksgiving Cheers!
My Love for Lambos…
The Body Art Phenomena
My Creative Timeline…
Get Lucky 12/13/13
The Art of Design – Graphically Speaking
The Happiest of People…
Happy Holidays
2013 – Year in Review
I’m excited to enter the New Year refreshed and renewed. I’m looking forward to a creative 2014. I wish you all the same.
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