Evolve Studio

Original art by Nathan Cook

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As a quintessence conservatory artist, Nathan Cook originally took to his work with oil paint on canvas. He has practiced art for approximately 20 years with a long lull included. He re-emerged when a close friend and author inspired him to sketch characters for a novel. After the project, he decided to exclusively commit to his studies of art for two years. He refers to this period as, "Finding My Voice". Influential artists include Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, and Vincent van Gogh.

His original entry into the arts was in music which continues to drive his passion to this day. He played baritone, tenor, and alto saxophone, along with the electrical guitar. Music influences his art which he translates on to canvas or mixed media. His first love in the fine arts began with dry media such as charcoal, pastel, and graphite. Studying album covers brought his attention to the artist Russell Mills. Mills' method to use any medium in complex technique, including digital means, intrigued Nathan. This led him to his current style practiced today.

Nathan's current focus is on portraits. Often trying to capture an event, or an emotion relayed in visual form in color or strokes of chosen media along with abstract use of negative space. This originally traversed him back to his re-emergence piece Broken Promises; which is just one completed part of a series of works. Other branches of his artistic capabilities include video and music editing. The main philosophy of his objective is not the focus of the artist’s ego, but rather the pieces themselves. Therefore, he has chosen a lone wolf as his logo of representation. His current profile photo is him holding cooking tongs. This is inline with his belief that anything in your hands is simply a means of transfer for media.

Media: Oil and digital

This is a revisit to one of my favorite paintings I completed about a year ago. The original is no longer in my possession. I wanted this piece to signify the beginning of a new era for me in art and my personal life.

I have decided to do a series with different perspectives on this piece. I may retitle this in the future for cataloging purposes.

More information about the piece can be found here

Media: oil and acrylic
Size:30x40

This piece is dedicated to someone that never knew how much they meant to me.

It's about the preservation of yourself. The strong roots of a tree. The acceptance of one's self, despite complications. Steady, solid; beauty from within.Despite the darkness surrounding you - you will find a way.

This is expressed by strong, broad brush strokes in the background. Controlled chaos. No matter the subject. A slight glimmer of light to show the way. I wanted the background to serve a purpose besides the subject.

Media: Mixed and digital
Size: 18x24

This is part of three pieces I have been working on. I don't know when I will resume work for the rest as of now. The metal piece has taken a back step to completion. This is about the love between two people and the stage lives they live between them. The hidden agendas between this couple. The affairs, and poison arrows - which erupt and create turmoil. In the end, the truth always bares itself, and the war it creates. Those that love you, hurt you most.

This will also be the first time I will be offering digital prints due to the creation process. Purchasing options will be added soon.

Music for the piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR_2sbeuNTU

https://www.nin.com/

Emotional Constant

In this painting I try to convey distress. That no matter how much you want something to work, sometimes the picture is never pretty. You can never reach the end of the rainbow. The unattainable. The fragility of love and life represented by Dandelions. Something as simple as a calm breeze sets forth destruction of it all.

Music for the piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g8nAqDu3gI

https://www.nin.com/

Interpretation of Vincent van Gogh's Irises

#10
Size: 30x40in
Media: oil

Description: With this piece I really wanted to use an organic color palette. I took some inspiration from the artist Russell Mills. Colors such as rust, blood, dirt with the elegance of blues from the original piece itself. Touching the canvas with my hands and imprinting a personal piece of myself with finger strokes.

I enjoy crossing the bridge between refined brush strokes and the raw definition of what paint actually is. Pigments and globs of color. I'm trying to explore making something somewhat dark or powerful even with things that are beautiful in nature.

#9
Media: Oil
Description: Music inspires so much of my work. For this particular piece I listened to composer Oliver Davis's "Flight" album.

I wanted to create an element where auditory met visual. The deconstruction of flowers as the beautiful music whisks you away. Within the painting, hearing the individual instruments, and interpreting the raw notes with splashes of paint on canvas. I truly wanted the visual perception to take "Flight" even if it's still life. I believe nothing is ever still in nature.

"New Year, New Life:London"

#4
2.5ft x 3.33ft
media: Acrylic

The story of the painting: It began as a different subject. None of the layout was planned. It took me a little over a month to complete. I had a London theme and I knew I wanted the car and telephone booth. One correction later, and each part came in to play and grew.

I paid tribute to different artists within the painting. Some sections I used a different style. I thought of artists such as Bosch and Peter Paul Reubens; where the style was somewhat...paintings within a painting. I wanted to do something modern, fun, and colorful.

“Broken Promises”

#3
Canvas - 22x28
Mixed media

This piece is about unrequited love. The anticipation of that next phone call, the yearning - for someone that doesn't care as much about you, as you them. Like a drug, the next fix that this person provides. It all comes crashing down in due time. The sour diplomatic, let go - written on a cheap card. Because you are cheap to this person. This was an entry in to a planned series. I have been waiting a year to complete them.

The series was originally going to be based around a late 80's-90's color scheme. That isn't decided yet.

Little Rock AR United States

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