Roger Cooke, Painter, Sculptor, Illustrator, Muralist, Portraits

When Roger isn't in the studio painting or coming up with ideas for murals, when he's not in a mural town high up on scaffolding, he entertains himself on the river or in the woods. We are blessed to live in God's most beautiful area, the Cascades of Oregon.

The Weippe Discovery Center in Idaho is adding another dimension to its' flavorful history, that location where Lewis and Clark met the Nez Perce Indians. Roger is painting 6 more paintings to add to the ones he created a few years ago to celebrate the opening of the Center. Murals are definitely a way for locals and visitors alike to discover the historic ground they're standing on.

The middle of May Roger will be in Alva OK , adding to the growing public arts program, painting another mural there. Jim Richey, an artist in his own right, continues to influence this small town with big ideas that have benefited the town tremendously. Among the friendliest people on earth, Roger had so many invitations for dinner and fun that he wants to share this hospitality with Edna on this next trip. If you're in the area, drop by for a visit.

Roger had a great time at the Artist's Ride in South Dakota where he took hundreds of photographs for new paintings. Getting back to the easel gives Roger that great feeling of accomplishment as he creates the Western paintings he's been noted for all these years.

Biography of Roger Cooke, Artist

Since 1971, Roger Cooke's studio on the Sandy River has produced the fine paintings, bronzes, illustrations, murals and portraits for which Cooke is noted.

In 1968, Roger Cooke began his career in illustration, like many other fine artists, working in Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Portland, and through a New York illustration agent. Some of his illustration clients include Saturday Evening Post, Georgia Pacific Corporation, Mayflower Movers, Caterpillar Corporation, NASA, Pleasant Company (producers of the American Girl dolls), Milton Bradley, The Oregon Trail Coordinating Council, The Oregon Historical Society and The Washington Historical Society.

Roger Cooke has illustrated for Religious Publishers such as Standard Publishing, Gospel Light, David C. Cooke, Bethany House, Focus on the Family, Augsburg, and Concordia Publishing.

Roger Cooke began painting in oils on masonite full time in 1974 after being introduced to Husberg Fine Arts gallery in Sedona, Arizona, who sold almost all Cooke's original Western oil paintings for several years.

National magazines such as Art West, Southwest Art, Wild West, The Illustrator, and Bugle Magazine have featured his work. The public has appreciated the availability of his prints through such publishers as the Greenwich Workshop, the Leanin' Tree Publishers, Sunrise Publishers, Antioch Publishers, and The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Cooke's murals can be found in towns from Oregon to Florida, and many places in between. Murals are an opportunity to bring history to life on a grand scale, and gives many people a way to get acquainted with the history of their town in a way that is very compelling. It is a chance for Cooke to add something significant to an area, as well as a wonderful opportunity to meet a whole new set of friends.

Roger and his wife, Edna, who is also the business manager of Roger Cooke Fine Arts, have raised their four children in the beautiful park like mountain setting on the Sandy River, and the view of the river from the living room is one that never grows old.

His education includes an initial interest to pursue a formal art career by enrolling in Art Instruction School's Correspondence Course. This led him to enroll at Portland State for two years and then on to Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles for four years where he majored in illustration, graduating in 1970.

Cooke's paintings, prints, and sculptures are displayed in homes, businesses, and museums across the country. Thorough research is part of every creative effort. Each work is executed with skill and care. Authenticity gives Cooke's work authority. His artistic talent and love for his subject gives it life.