Get to know a South Carolina illustrator who, at the age of 7, publicly acknowledged his desire to commit his life to the pursuit of art as both a career and passion during a televised interview in Columbia, SC. Successful in his pursuit, Trahern Cook, makes a living off of his illustrations. His work is featured on this month’s LBSPY cover and has been in: editorial magazines and children’s books, on retail products for major retail chains, and on CD covers. Traher’s art has been presented in local galleries and shows and his prints have been sold all over the States. His clients include Publix Supermarkets, LifeWay Resources, Pamplin Music, Dalmatian Press, Highlights Magazine, Scholastic, Harcourt Publishing, Gospel Advocate, The Hartford Courant, FBI National Academy, Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, and many more. Recent exhibitions featuring Trahern include the Columbia Museum of Art Education Gallery, 300 Senate Gallery, 80808 Gallery, South Carolina State Fair Merit Award Winner.

LBSPY October 2015 cover art by Trahern Cook!

Not only has Trahern been celebrated and acknowledged nationally, but he’s painted several localities in around Greenbrier County including The Greenbrier, Carnegie Hall, Bella the Corner Gourmet, and the historic Lewisburg corner building. Learn more about this artist with our Q&A:

1. How do you describe your palette?
I work in acrylics, beginning with vibrant primary and secondary colors. Then I layer mid range tones over my vibrant line work to achieve what I feel is the effect of motion.

2.What’s your greatest achievement?
The experience of creating a painting that speaks to someone and knowing that they have taken it and placed it where that painting can take on a life all it’s own is as gratifying as any award or recognition I have received professionally. Like I say to anyone who happens to find me painting out and about, “if I’m painting, it’s a good day.”

3.What obstacles do you need to overcome to find your creative space/muse?
I describe obstacles as thresholds that need to be crossed. Understanding that eventually those thresholds do get crossed, aids my approach by not becoming “too” frustrated by my limitations or by what I am working towards.

4. How do you find your inspiration?
I find my inspiration by observing daily life, i.e. People working and playing and the environments they have created to do “Life”. I am equally drawn to the idea that everything is in motion. We live on a spinning blue ball, so I paint with a looseness and motion that emphasizes that idea. Being a part of this animated daily life experience, painting the moment, reenergizes my process. A small cog turning inside the working clock of life. If that sounds like an artist talking, what can I say?

5. What advice do you have for other artist?
Whatever you endeavor to do, do it a thousand times. Be observant all the while, and be patient.

For more information about the artist, visit studiocampfire.com or call Trahern direct at 803-477-0001

– LBSPY October 2015.