Enticing, 2004 (graphite, resin & oil on coated paper)

In his drawings of theaters, Cook combines a painterly surface with a photographic aesthetic, achieving seductive effects suggestive of ethereal interiors. Old postcards, photographs, memories, and imagination serve as points of reference for the artist. The upper portion of Enticing depicts the interior of a baroque theater with forms that resemble extravagant chandeliers and balconies. The foreground is a shimmering, ethereal surface evocative of pooling water. The contrast between the representational and the abstract passages of the composition reflects Cook's interest in both real and surreal imagery. Through years of experimentation, Cook developed his signature technique of mixing graphite powder with resin, oil, and solvents, and then rapidly applying the liquid mixture, which dries in less than thirty-six hours, onto coated paper. Cook utilizes a variety of implements such as brushes, fingers, rags, and even gravity to manipulate the liquid mixture. The delicate balance between predetermined ideas and unpredictable effects are integral to the artist's creative process.