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 
Absolutely correct, Francisco. Her characters have charm and purpose, besides a still life of smug obesity. I like these people they seem plausible.
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You are so right Pat. Thank you!
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Very welcome, Francisco.
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I have several of her prints and books about her. She shares my birthday and her women share my body. I love her!
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Wonderful! Thank you!
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Apreciei muito.
Abraco fraterno.
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Gracias Gustavo y un fuerte abrazo.
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Thank you, Francesco, for highlighting the wonderful work of Beryl Cook, the painter I like, because her works make me smile. And as Bob Dylan wrote:
«Laughter is the ladder to the stars.»
Joanna
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Well said by Bob Dylan for sure! Thank you Joanna. Yes, her work is phenomenal! All the best and a great day to you!
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Thank you, Francesco, and you are more than welcome!
Joanna
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Me recuerda un poco a Botero. Está bien hacer visible el arte, la literatura etc. de las mujeres. Buen día, amigo
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Si, en el articulo he mencionado que hay alguna similitud pero que a mi me parece el trabajo de ella superior al de Botero que me aburre bastante. Gracias Azurea20, y si, me parece muy importante destacar artistas, especialmente mujeres, que han sido ignoradas, a propósito supongo, por la historia del arte. Un saludo y feliz día.
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👍👍👍
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Thank you Ashley! All the best!
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Nice!
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Thank you!
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