A few days ago a friend and fellow blogger on WP suggested I look into a woman artist from the United Kingdom who I did not know, and I certainly did and here she is: Beryl Cook. She was born on September 10 of 1926 in Egham, Surrey, England, and although she claimed not to have had any «formal» art training, she painted very well. Her paintings are of everyday people, sometimes a bit bizarre but almost always with a comical twist.
Although her bulky figures might remind one of Botero, (another one who claimed to be self-taught), in my opinion Cook’s work is much more interesting. She painted volume in her outlandish and extroverted characters. Beryl Cook was influenced, according to her own words, by the work of Sir Stanley Spencer and Edward Burra, both highly trained and successful British painters.
Cook moved to Plymouth in 1968 and at the Plymouth Arts Centre had her first exhibition. The success of that exhibition led to her being contracted to the Portal Gallery in London (1976) where she exhibited until her death in 2008. In 1995 she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Channel 4 News produced, in 2005, a short film of her work and the Royal Mail used one of her paintings for a first class postage stamp.
Although I did not know much about this painter, she is certainly well known in the UK and her work has achieved a wide level of success. Can it be that because she is a woman artist she has not been taken as seriously as men in Art History? I don’t know. But her country did take her seriously. So I ask myself, why did I not hear of her in Art School? In any event, I like her work and I wanted to share it with you and find out what you think.
I would highly suggest that if you are interested in art, either as an artist, student, lover of art or collector, that you look further into the work of Beryl Cook.
CHEERS – CHEERS – CHEERS
(Thank you M.)
JaZzArt en València 
Nice information with beautiful art
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
Thank you 🙏🏻 Sir! Have a restful night and sweet dreams.
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
Good morning Sir.
Have a nice day.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Good morning! Enjoy your morning walk. I will be on mine quite soon. All the best.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Happy New Year! I truly enjoyed reading your exceptional content last year. Wishing you a fantastic year filled with creativity and success!
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
Thank you so very much! HAPPY NEW YEAR! And all the best to you too! I’ve greatly enjoyed your blog!
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
She shares my birthday which is quite rare. I love her work!
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
Wonderful!
Me gustaMe gusta
I love the art as well. It makes me smile to look at it. Thank you for the education as it is truly appreciated. Happy New Year and many blessings. Love from the both of us.
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
Happy New Year and blessings to you both.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Thank you Francisco, it means a lot. ❤️
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
You’re welcome.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Un verdadero acierto tu elección. Las pinturas de Beryl son magníficas. Buen fin de semana Francisco.
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
Gracias Manuel, buen finde. Sales en LatinosUSA el día 7 de enero.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Muchas gracias Francisco por esa deferencia que haces. Estaré atento a la publicación. Un abrazo muy grande.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Ya te avisaré Manuel. Un abrazo.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Gracias Francisco
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
De nada Manuel.
Me gustaMe gusta
Great thumbs up for a little known artist. Thank you, Francisco for sharing, and giving attention to Beryl Cook’s often, comical and everyday humorous art works. 🧡
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
You’re welcome Sara! It’s important that these artists get better recognition. All the best and a great evening to you! ❤️🌹❤️
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Yes, you are right. Have a lovely evening, Francisco! ❤️😊❤️
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Sweet dreams Sara. 🌻🌼🌻
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Sweet dreams, Francisco! 😴🌻💛
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Me ha encantado esta serie. Gracias.
Me gustaLe gusta a 3 personas
Gracias a ti Azurea20!
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona