FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2016​
Contact: Kelly Cook, Cook Studio & Gallery
502-287-3000; [email protected]

Cook Studio & Gallery Grand Opening Celebration ​on June 24​​!
Art. Books. Music
 
Louisville KY, June 10, 2016 – Today in Louisville, Cook Studio & Gallery located at 1832 Frankfort Avenue announced their grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting to be held on Friday, June 24th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. to coincide with Frankfort Avenue’s FAT Friday Trolley Hop.

Owners Andy and Kelly Cook have been working together on art, music, and literature since they met in 2010. Since that time, together they have curated and participated in numerous art events, authored and published books, recorded two CD’s, and traveled the world performing music. Cook Studio & Gallery is where Andy and Kelly combine their passion for the Arts and their community.

"When I met Andy he was curating group art shows at two different establishments, creating large amounts of artwork, working full time ​fabricating ornamental iron, and performing in a band,” says co-owner Kelly Cook. “I had never shown my work before, but he encouraged me and I ended up selling a painting at my first show. I’ve watched Andy inspire many other artists in this way, and I’ve yet to meet anyone who produces as much art, with as much precision, in as many different mediums as he does. These are some of the reasons why opening a gallery is important for us.”

Cook Studio & Gallery will feature fine art including paintings, drawings, metal sculptures and functional art. There is a retail section that will include books and music by local and international artists, and various printable artwork such as t-shirts, postcards, mugs and magnets designed by Andy & Kelly. The couple will also host special events and are open to allow the space to grow and take shape.  

"Music, art and poetry are priorities in our lives,” says ​co-owner Andy Cook. “But, originally Kelly was planning to open a full service salon because she has clientele here in Louisville. When we ran into some zoning restrictions, we ended up coming up with a better plan to open a multifaceted art gallery that would include a variety of art and services to encompass more of what we do. The building is actually in the process of being re-zoned, and if all goes well, Kelly will soon be able to offer her cosmetology services too."

The grand opening celebration​ on Friday, June 24th​ ​will be held from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and will feature new work by Andy Cook, music, appetizers and drinks. There will be a special dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony with city officials.

We have released  Tia Kessler's  second volume of the GIRL UNBOUND series today! The book is loaded with striking imagery and poems and is available online here.

In April, Cook Creative went Gonzo for Hunter S. Thompson. We were chosen by Ron Whitehead to be the official publisher of the first ever Gonzo Book for the GonzoFest 2014 a tribute to the brilliant writer, Hunter S. Thompson. We got to work with Hunter's wife Anita Thompson and his close friend, artist Ralph Steadman, who just recently released a film about his life "For No Good Reason" that included Johnny Depp as host. You can read more about "Hunter's Gonzoville" on our press release or visit our book page.

Creativity begins with health! We take things in the kitchen from time to time and wanted to share one of our latest discoveries about the holy coconut.

Did you know that it is really easy to make coconut milk?

• 1 part unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 parts of nearly boiling water
• Put in blender for 10 seconds
• Pour the coconut in a towel or cheese cloth and squeeze! Fresh, warm coconut milk!

It's a sweet treat rich in fiber, nutrients and minerals. Plus, coconut has anti-viral and anti-fungal properties and is the closest match to a mothers milk! Momma! You can find some information on the benefits of coconut here.

From shredded coconut, to milk, to oil, to flour. There are so many ways to use this plant. In fact, if you try this recipe and wonder what to do with the leftover coconut after you squeeze all the milk out, dry it out in an oven on a low temp, plop it in a food processor and you have coconut flour!  Coconut flour is glutten free and sugar free.

And this includes our very important message to remind you to drink to your health!

New work  by Andy Cook for the front cover of Ron Whitehead's upcoming book "Beaver Dam Rocking Chair Marathon", coming out through Cook Creative this November.

"Rocking Chair Warrior (Damn Determined)"
oil on wood canvas
22"x34"

What role does art play in the community?
To me art is the air and the feelings of the politics of a place in time. What happens in the community manifests itself through the poems, paintings, songs, sculptures, photos and films created by the hands of artists. Community in touch with the Arts can feel the pulse of life within itself. 

What are your non-art influences?
In a word: nature. Nature is what has been running the show for a long time and is what will be here when we’re gone. There is so much to understand, we understand very little about the ground we stand on and the history that has shaped everything we know. Nature is the ultimate creator, and as an artist I strive to match that depth and intensity in my own work.

Art keeps me sane. Most of the time my work is usually a mile marker of what is happening in my life. Form and color from nature are always seeping into my compositions as I think about the state of the planet, and what part humans and human mind states play in the shaping of the world we see. Most of my art represents the unconscious mind and I imagine recreating dreams into physical form. Art means the world to me. It shows me potential of what life can be. It shows me how I feel. It reminds me that I’m alive and constantly growing.

Andy Cook
7-14-2013