Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Cook.
Diane, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I have been creating art since as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until I attended my first national art retreat, over 10 years ago, in Hampton, Virginia, did the artistic life I yearned for suddenly begin. That’s when I discovered dreams really do come true….as now, I am living it! My love for metal work and gemstones, have become an ever-constant source of inspiration. When not teaching and designing jewelry, my love for photography, mixed-media art, painting and drawing, constantly keep me preoccupied.
I have joyfully been making art, designing jewelry and sharing my love for teaching full time, since retiring from Harris County, and the financial world, in 2010. I have taught classes in Tucson, Arizona, Coronado, California, and Round Top, Texas for Vivi Magoo, Ltd. I also have taught locally, at Spring Beads in Spring, Texas, and yearly at Adorn Me! in Houston, Texas. I have taught nationally at a Work of Heart, in San Jose, California, Gilding the Lily in Fullerton, California, Studio Crescendoh, in Santa Ana, California, Ephemera Paducah in Paducah, Kentucky and at ArtBLISS in the Washington DC area. I loved teaching online jewelry classes for Artful Gathering, for 4 years, and have 7 DVDs still on sale there today.
They can be found here: (http://artfulgatheringshops.com/product-category/diane-cook/). I have been published in Belle Armoire Jewelry, Artful Blogging, Somerset Memories, Jewelry Affaire, Marie, Jewelry the zine. You can also find my work in several books, Bead Soup by Lori Anderson, The Missing Link by Cindy Wimmer, and in a mixed media art competition book published by North Lights, called Incite, Dreams Realized: The Best of Mixed Media. I was also a contributing artist in Kristen Robinson’s eBook, The Romance of Mixed-Media Jewelry, and was honored to be a Guest Curator for Crescendoh.com, sharing my story of how Art Saves, in May 2010.
I was thrilled beyond belief, in the Summer of 2017, as Belle Armoire Jewelry featured my torch fired enamel jewelry in their Designer Series. (https://stampington.com/Belle-Armoire-Jewelry-Summer-2017). And, the very first time I was published in Belle Armoire Jewelry, my necklace was chosen to be on the cover. That was in the Spring of 2009 (https://stampington.com/Belle-Armoire-Jewelry-Spring-2009).
I am happy to announce that as of January 2018, I have taken the position of Creative Workshop Coordinator and Metals Instructor, at Multipliciy, LLC. Since then, I have been busy bringing in teachers that travel to teach nationally, not only in the discipline of metals, but all forms of mixed media, as well. And, I myself, will be teaching 2-day Metal Jewelry Classes several weekends in 2018. I like to sum up my ever-winding creative path with a quote of mine, “My feet lead me to where my heart has always been”.
www.rosaandjosies.net
rosajosies@yahoo.com
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I began my journey into jewelry design, repurposing vintage jewelry into one of a kind creations. I knew to be recognized as a credible artist, I should begin sending in jewelry submissions of my designs to Belle Armoire Jewelry, Jewelry Affaire and several other magazines, previously mentioned. Once I began receiving confirming recognition of my work (by being published in said magazines and books), I optimistically dipped my toe into the teaching arena. Thankfully I had a major mixed media event coordinator, Linda Young, owner of Phoenix Rising Productions in Phoenix, Arizona, give me a chance to teach. That was in 2010, just before retiring from Harris County, at the end of that same year. I’ve never looked back, as I found I love it. I have a passion to share my knowledge with others.
I have continued to work towards improving my design skills, mainly teaching metalsmith classes the last several years. I find so much inspiration in the beauty of a gemstone, and the movement of metal.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Join an art group, if at all possible. If there isn’t one in your area, start one. Artists support other artists. Physically and financially.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I am currently teaching and selling limited pieces of my jewelry creations at Multiplicity, located at 1210 Avenue A Katy, TX 77493, in Old Town Katy, Texas. I have a scheduled Trunk Show at Warrenton, Texas, during Antiques Week, at the Multiplicity Shop, in the Old Feed Store, located in downtown Warrenton, on October 2, 2018.
https://multiplicity.co/shop/artisan-boutique/on-the-road/warrenton-antiques-show/
I also sell past online class DVDs at The Marketplace/Artful Gathering:
http://artfulgatheringshops.com/product-category/diane-cook/
I have two upcoming metal smith classes scheduled:
The Waymaker on October 20-21, 2018 (https://multiplicity.co/event/diane-cook-the-waymaker-october-20-18/) and Lifted on November 3-4, 2018 (soon to be posted on our class calendar).
Contact Info:
- Address: MULTIPLICITY STUDIO
1210 Avenue A
Katy, TX 77493 - Website: https://www.rosaandjosies.net/
- Phone: 832.437.6329
- Email: rosajosies@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosajosies/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosajosies
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosaandjosies
Image Credit:
All pictures taken by diane cook.
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
Robin Sullivan
September 3, 2018 at 3:49 pm
This is a lovely article. Diane Cook is the best.