Lesa Cook

About the Artist

Lesa Cook grew up in South Carolina and received a B.A. in Studio Art from the University of South Carolina in 1987. In 1990/91 she pursued graduate work in computer graphics at George Mason University . She continued her fine art studies part-time at The Maryland Institute College of Art, The Corcoran School of Art, The Art League in Alexandria, Va. and The Shuler School in Baltimore, Md. Currently she is enrolled at The Florence Academy of Art in Florence Italy until June, when she returns to Maryland to continue teaching at The Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick. Her work has been shown nationally. She resides in Burkittsville, MD where she paints and sculpts. She has been teaching for over 15 years. She is also a registered copyist at The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She considers herself a classical realist, drawing inspiration from the great masters and trying not only to capture the natural form but the emotional reality as well.

Artist's Statement

I consider myself a classical realist, taking inspiration from the Masters and studying the natural form but also hoping to capture the emotional reality of my subjects. I am a perpetual student, constantly learning and I am also a teacher so I try to impart that knowledge in the classroom. Art is an act of paying attention and feels sacred to me.