Exploring the Art of Teresa Cook 

by Sofia Ritz

MOCA Jacksonville is proud to highlight the work of Teresa Cook, a talented artist whose creativity spans from architecture to miniature painting; from historical research to teaching.  With a deep connection to both the art world and the communities she works within, Cook’s paintings and her journey are a reflection of her passion for learning, culture and craftsmanship.  

Cook is actively involved with MOCA, and can be frequently seen at the museum. She is here every third Wednesday during Museum Nights @ MOCA presented by Florida Blue doing live watercolor portraits. During the summer, she is a Camp @ MOCA instructor and is busy creating fun and engaging experiences. Cook is also a regular Studio Practice instructor, sharing her love for watercolor. 

An Artistic Foundation  

One of the key influences in Teresa Cook’s artistic journey was her time spent studying under Professor Louise Richard Brown at the University of North Florida (UNF). No one else was teaching watercolor at the time, Cook’s medium of choice, so Brown’s mentorship was vital to her in developing her signature style.  

Another artist Cook is very inspired by is Robert Leedy, a watercolorist who paints on Yupo paper, like Cook.  

From before our time, an artistic influence of Cook’s is Van Gogh. From him she learned the following lessons: appreciate color and don’t sell only one painting. While she greatly respects his career, he motivates her to put herself out there and connect with people. She describes his work as “a reminder to be known.”  

Travel as a Source of Creative Inspiration 

An advocate of travel as a source of artistic inspiration, Cook sees it as an essential part of her creative process. Her travels have taken her to Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Puerto Rico and Amsterdam, where she’s immersed herself in different cultures and landscapes, gaining new perspectives that continue to influence her work.  She’s particularly inspired by the architecture and history she encounters on her travels; elements that find their way into her paintings, especially when it comes to her focus on structures and landscapes. 

This love for cultural exploration continues to shape her artistic aspirations. Cook shared her upcoming plans to visit Paris, a trip she hopes will further expand her understanding of the global art scene. 

The Intricate World of Miniature Art 

Cook began painting miniatures on her trip to Italy, because the smaller sized paper fit more easily in her suitcase. Since then, she has been inspired by Lorraine Lutz, a renowned miniature artist based in South Africa, to continue with this pursuit and figure out which kind of miniatures she likes to do.  

“Sometimes they take just as much time as the bigger pieces,” she says. 

She likes the idea of making people take the time to pay attention, as in this case they must, to notice all the tiny details. She’s even begun incorporating miniatures into her larger works, as little asides that require their own deliberate attention.  

Cook says to observe miniature art you need a certain patience and care, which she enjoys.  

The Allure of Architecture 

Cook is drawn to capturing landscapes and structures because she believes people disrupt the normalcy and process of life. She occasionally paints portraits, when she’s historically inspired, but for the most part architecture is her focus. She especially loves European architecture, because of how deliberately built and long-lasting it is.  

While Cook enjoys the structure of painting architecture, she doesn’t want to lose sight of the creative aspect of art-making; this is why she does blind contour drawing, a method where one draws a subject without looking at the paper.  

This technique keeps her from getting too technical with her likenesses, and allows her to jump back and forth from fluid to structured mark making.  

“That way I’m not doing it the same way every time,” says Cook.   

Teaching and Inspiring Future Artists 

Cook was encouraged by a professor to teach, due to her attention to detail and inclination to help people. She now regularly teaches at Studio Practice and Summer Camp for MOCA, subs as an art teacher at schools in Duval County, and does private lessons for kids and adults. She now finds teaching to be a fulfilling extension of her practice.  

Her workshops are a testament to her belief that art should be accessible to everyone. Whether it’s through private lessons or group sessions, Cook fosters an environment where students can explore their own creativity and develop their skills. 

A Passion for History and Research 

Cook’s passion for history also informs much of her work. She currently has a fellowship with Women Writing for Change, the catalyst for her research into Zora Neale Huston, the Federal Writers Project and WWII. These subjects inspire her creatively— to paint portraits and to share her love of research.  

She spoke on the wealth of information we have at our fingertips, such as that in the National Archives, and how many people don’t know that they have access to these resources. It’s important to Cook that people take the time to look into the root of history, and not only take it as it’s been interpreted. 

Live Painting: A Performance of Art 

Cook is an experienced urban sketcher, and regularly paints plein air, or outside from life. She was already doing this when it was recommended that she paint live for weddings. Now, she’s a live painter for charity events, birthday parties, and Museum Nights @ MOCA.  

She enjoys live painting because it’s a good way for others to see what she can do. When asked how she handles the pressure of being watched as she paints, she responded: planning. She figures how long the piece will take, which questions people will ask, and how long it will take to answer them. With the social aspect squared away, she’s able to better focus on her work in the moment.  

Teresa Cook’s art is a fusion of architecture, culture, history, and meticulous craftsmanship. Her artistic journey is a reflection of her dedication to learning, evolving, and sharing her knowledge with others. As part of the vibrant community at MOCA Jacksonville, Cook continues to inspire and connect with others through her diverse body of work.  

We look forward to seeing how Cook’s creativity continues to evolve and inspire. Stay tuned for upcoming events and workshops featuring this exceptional artist!