Lynette Cook

Lynette Cook, Art and Color 365 Acrylics Competition 1st Place Winner

During a scientific illustration career that lasted more than 25 years, acclaimed astronomical artist Lynette Cook worked as the Artist/Photographer for the Morrison Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. She also freelanced, collaborating with researchers in the field of astronomy to illustrate planets that were being discovered outside of our solar system.

Winning entry: "A Tribute to Adeline," acrylic, 30" x 38"

All images © Lynette Cook, shared with permission.

As a result, her illustrations were published worldwide in books, periodicals, and documentaries, by news outlets, television networks, newspapers, magazines, universities, and websites.

"55 Cancri 2002," acrylic, 5" x 7.75"

But things changed with the dawn of the digital era which saw the scientific community embrace computer-generated astronomical art over traditional art. “When the computer came along, it pushed creativity into the digital realm,” Cook says, “I found that I missed the feel of a paintbrush in my hand, and the joy of watching a blank, white surface transform into a recognizable image.” With this realization, Cook decided it was time to shift back to her first love: fine art.

"Daydreaming," acrylic, 36" x 24"

Around this time, Cook was walking through her Bay Area neighborhood and noticed a house she had seen many times before, but this time she saw it in a completely new way. Shadows from a utility pole were crisscrossing the home’s facade in graceful, geometric lines that completely altered the home’s appearance in a striking, beautiful way.

"Efflorescence," acrylic, 48" x 30"

Seeing this inspired Cook to create a series of paintings in which ordinary urban settings were transformed by the play of silhouettes and shadows cast against buildings as the sun moved across the sky.

Lynette Cook

Instead of recreating worlds beyond our galaxy with her art, she captured different worlds comprised of light, form, and shadow from the movement of our sun on ordinary buildings. Laundry hung out to dry, fire escapes, balconies, and ironwork all became part of the intricate designs Cook captured in every painting.

Cook also paints iconic San Francisco buildings and destinations, as well as less lofty subjects. “Much of my inspiration arises from commonplace objects like a flower, the shadow on a building, or an edible from a local bakery, which gain importance when they are treated as a focal points in my artwork,” she explains. “These are the little pleasures in life that can create a beautiful landscape in one’s everyday experience which sustain body and spirit. Finding significance in that which is often ignored or taken for granted is my way of encouraging the viewer to see anew, as if for the first time.”

Cook has exhibited her award-winning work extensively for nearly 40 years and has her pieces in public and private collections worldwide. Her current “Shadows and Silhouettes” series is represented by Andra Norris Gallery in Burlingame, California.

WEBSITE: WWW.LYNETTEINTHESTUDIO.COM

INSTAGRAM: @LYNETTECOOKART

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