Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.”

Artist Angie Cook couldn’t be more grateful for her opportunities to work and thrive creatively. “You start where you are at,” said Cook. She created her first artistic pieces from found objects. Cook recounted, “At the time, it was just junk dug up from my backyard.” Her home in La Porte was built in the 1930s prior to garbage pickup and the backyard was used for trash burns. “I was compelled to do something with it all,” explained Cook. She said she spontaneously made recycled art with little thought or training and continued to amaze herself. Then, with the help of “the finder of lost things,” Cook acquired a cache of art supplies and a collection of vintage art from Eulalie Hunt Allen (1919-1989). Allen was a renowned artist and art teacher.

Cook stated, “I’m deeply grateful that Eulalie’s art and supplies came into my world. It allowed me to experiment with so many different mediums without any thought to how costly they usually are.” In fact, Cook added, the lot even came with expensive copper enamel supplies and how-to books. “I could try any art I wanted,” she said. “I’ve had an artistic eye all my life,” shared Cook. “[Art] is the one thing I could always do well without trying.”

Cook currently works in several mediums which include sketching, watercolor, photography, mosaic, decoupage, and assemblage. The latter being a true form of mixed media using up-cycled or repurposed materials that Cook said, “are interesting and go well together.” Though Cook’s creations may be reclaimed components, they remain fresh and original. She said her passion is the natural world. Her craftsmanship encompasses all that is organic and pure and exudes her love of art.

For Cook, “Art is a spiritual practice.” She said she pours her energy into each and every one of her works. She believes each artist leaves a piece of their essence or spirit in their work. Cook also believes everyone is an artist. She qualified, “Not everyone practices, but it’s in you.”

See Angie Cook’s works up close at the La Porte Art Walk in the Main Street District Friday, September 6 from 6 to 9 pm. View more of Cook’s art and photography at www.angiecookphotography.com or www.artconsortium.org/acook.

- Kelley Dawson