Featured Artist - April 2012  Nancy G. Cook

Charlotte, NC
http://www.nancygcook.com
[email protected]

I am a North Carolina artist who creates realistic images of natural objects in a highly exaggerated scale with textiles, ink and thread. I am truly blessed to have found a medium that combines many elements that bring joy to my life. My art work combines my passions for nature, textiles, texture, color and women's work as art.

Seed Play, a series exploring the architecture of seeds in a whole-cloth quilt format, began mid-2008 and focuses on tree and shrub seeds and fruits, as metaphors for the richness of life’s maturity. Using the uniqueness of tree seeds as metaphor, I strive to illustrate that each individual is unique and wonderful by focusing with admiration and care on a part of the tree that is often overlooked.

The historical forms of botanical watercolors, quilting, and stenciling inform my work. I strive for lively compositions using hand-guided machine-stitching for bas relief and add additional dimension with hand-stitching.

Working directly from collected seed specimens, my designs are based on research and detailed sketches. Realistic images are scaled up to 500% larger than life specimens. The scale and lush renditions are reminiscent of Georgia O’Keeffe and Karl Blossfelt. 

click images for larger view
Mossy Cup Oak 42" x 36", 2011	Pokeweed Berries 24" x 24", 2011	Redbud 5"x 7", 2011