Mark Cole is an emerging artist who was born and raised in Upstate New York, traveled extensively throughout the world, and is now a resident of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with a studio located at the A.F.A.S. Center For The Arts (http://www.theafasgroup.com). His art is inspired by his many diverse life experiences from working in impoverished “barrios” (neighborhoods) in third world countries and oppressed communities, to time spent in the prison system and as a Special Events Florist at The White House in Washington, DC.His focus on the stream of consciousness nature of life allows him to depict those complications through the beauty of what the world would call “imperfections,” but rather as an approach to appreciate the beauty of all of God’s world. Each piece of work demands your attention to both faith and forgiveness and encourages the viewer to believe that love will overcome isolation and despair. His exuberant nature-inspired paintings combine elements of impressionism and abstraction, focusing on revealing the expressive elements of light, texture, and colors, which results in expressed emotions.His body of work represents a microcosm of collective inspirations, visually encapsulating a broad range of cultural, philosophical, and spiritual allusions. Mark brings to volume the voices of those he met as a foster care and education counselor, and in his time working to abolish poverty and homelessness.A succinct explanation of Mark’s artistic inspiration can best be expressed in the words of the artist himself: “The creative process for me is one that is an instinctual emotional journey. The majority of my works are inspired by first looking at the world, “warts and all” as a beautiful pallet of God’s love. Creating art is like being on a roller coaster; ups and downs, highs and lows, twists, and turns - like life, is constant movement and constant change. The creation process is cathartic, allowing my emotions to spill out onto my canvas as a release and hopefully an inspiration to others.”Food Art w/ Mark
“If anything, food is a more intimate form of art compared to others, as it incorporates all of the senses” -Dominique Ansel, Chef
For me, preparing food is not just about providing nourishment for our bodies but rather creating sustenance for our souls. Cooking for one or for others is self-care, it motivates the creative juices inside and makes us feel good - feeling alive in body, mind, and spirit.
Home Sweet Home
Our living environment, our home says a great deal about us and the spaces that we inhabit each day has a great influence on our emotions. We should tailor our homes to our taste, design so it pleases our body and mind. It should be a calming sanctuary of happiness and joy.
Photo by J. Sinclair
Photo by J. Sinclair
These photos were featured in the Winston Salem Journal, in an article written by Coy Archer.
Photo by J. Sinclair