June, 2014 | Chris Cook Artist

Monastery Graveyard

In an earlier post, Chris touched on his time visiting with Father Francis at the grounds of the monastery in Conyers, GA. He talked about the lifestyle and the contributions that the monks made to the area.

In this particular painting Chris showcases the cemetery on the grounds of the monastery. Seeing this painting has sparked me to think about the issue of human mortality.

I’ve heard it said that, “In all of history, one incontrovertible truth is that the human mortality rate remains pegged out at 100%”. Another way i’ve heard it put is the argument of “what are you going do do with the ‘dash’?” ( the one that’s on the headstone between your birth and death?

Human mortality is unavoidable, but I do believe that as believers, we have a hope for an eternal life through our saving faith in Christ Jesus. I believe that Father Francis and the monks at the monastery were well aware of this truth, and that is probably a big part of the reason that they devoted their lives to the work that they did.

I find comfort in remembering the words from the book of John, Chapter 3, Verses 16 &17 –

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Chris Cook is a premier southern artist and owner of Madison Studios, a web design, maintenance, and e-commerce and marketing company. For his artist biography, contact information, or to view more of his work, click HERE.

My Paint Studio

Chris’ studio totally fits his style both as an individual and as an artist. From the outside, it looks quaint, southern and rustic. Inside, its a modern/simplistic space with bright lighting, and plenty of room for Chris to create his paintings and to draw inspiration from life, scripture, or other works of art.

Chris describes himself as a “fast painter”. He says that he doesn’t linger on a work too long, but rather paints what he sees and feels and then is done with the process. I love seeing his work, and totally feel like the space that he creates in is totally reminiscent of him and his style. He is consistently able to blend a touch of modern with an intentional nod to the classics and a somewhat simpler time and place into his work. I also love the fact that the website design studio doubles as a showcase for all of his beautiful artwork!

America

America means so much to so many people.

Freedom

Democracy

Security

Hope

Opportunity

As a whole, sometimes we take for granted all that is afforded us simply because we live in the US. The Star Spangled Banner flying above our government buildings, schools, and other locations signifies a great deal.

I pose a question. What does America, and being “American” mean to you today? Has that view changed in your time?

I am amazed at the power that can be held in a symbol, and how that symbol, depending on how it used, can instill so many different emotions.

Cow In Landscape

Cows are everywhere in the part of Georgia that Chris calls home. Madison, GA, and its surrounding counties have depended on beef and dairy farming for many years as a means of income, identity, and self preservation. Eatonton, GA (the dairy capital of GA) once boasted more cows than people. Farming has long lain at the core of what makes this part of the south unique and special.

I like that, in this painting, the viewer is able to catch a glimpse of several of the aspects of “farm life” that Madisonians and the likes have come to know, love, and embrace through the years. If one were to take a drive outside of the city limits in any direction, it wouldn’t take long before they’d be able to “spot” the familiar sight of black and white Holstein cows and calves in pastures, grazing between milkings. Long red barns with tin roofs, rolling green pastures, dusty gravel roads, and the gentle “hint” of methane in the air are all landmark sights, sounds, and smells that help to distinguish this part of the country from others.

Chris does a really good job of simply capturing a momentary thought regarding farming in GA, but one that nevertheless echoes volumes about the way of life for so many down here in these parts.