Born in 1932 in Boise, Idaho, this self-taught Artist of Miniatures painted for
his own enjoyment while growing up and then enjoying a successful corporate
career. However in 1980 he began to paint seriously and in 1983 began to paint
miniatures exclusively. He received his first award for the miniatures just a
year later in 1984 at an International Miniature show held in Billings Montana
by the Montana Miniature Society. In 1985 just a few years after he started painting miniatures the American
Artist magazine listed Ed as one of six emerging artists out of 1,100 that
submitted artwork for consideration to be featured at the Greenwich Workshop
Galleries. Soon after that the little works were part of an exhibit at the
Carole Siple Gallery in Denver, Colorado.
His paintings hang in private collections in the United States, Europe, and
South America, and his work is represented by several galleries. Through the years, Ed has accumulated many awards including Best of Show, Awards
of Excellence, First Place honors and others.
Miniature painting is a fine art specialty. Most of Ed’s acrylic paintings measure 4.75” x 2.75”. Ed has a special love of nature, which can be seen in his renditions of rural
landscapes, old buildings, barns, streams, and waterfalls, as well as in
intimate views of water lilies, one of his favorite subjects.
Ed’s paintings also have been recognized for their quality and merit in several
international miniature competitions, with two Best of Show awards, including
two Grumbacher Gold Medallion Awards, a second Best of Show, and first place
awards.
In 1995, Ed was one of thirty-eight American miniaturists invited to London to
participate in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Royal Miniature
Society, which is under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth II. In addition, Ed’s artwork has received honors from the Miniature Artists of America and Whiskey
Painters of America. He is a signature member of both organizations which
recognize outstanding artists of miniatures.
Ed told this story about the painting reproduced here of the Church of All
Saints – Bedfordshire, England: “As a young soldier I was bicycling through the English countryside about 15
miles from where I was stationed. A shower passed by and as I rounded a corner in the lovely village of Odell, I
saw this scene. I took a photo of it with the idea of having it framed someday. When I began painting, I decided I would paint this ‘memory of my youth’ instead.” The original is still a favorite part of the artist’s collection.
The Village of Hoffman Estates has acquired a growing collection of Ed’s original paintings, which are used to produce a yearly series of Limited
Edition Christmas ornaments. The Schaumburg Library and the City of Batavia also are proud owners of original
pieces. He is a member of both the Batavia Artists Guild and the Batavia Artists
Association.
In addition to painting, Mr. Cook has presented programs on miniature painting
at the Morton Arboretum, to several art leagues, and for art teachers
throughout the Fox Valley. To children, he describes artists as magicians, whose “wands” have a fuzzy end. Ed freely gives his time to encourage young artists and has donated painting
equipment to the Water Street Gallery in his current hometown of Batavia.
In 2003, Ed was named Hoffman Estates Citizen of the Year, and in 2004, he and
his wife Janice were awarded the Cook County Sheriff’s Senior Medal of Honor for outstanding volunteerism. In 2007, he was presented
with a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his outstanding
achievements, services and public distinction. In 2010, he was inducted into
the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame.
Despite his late start into painting these “micro-masterpieces,” Edward C. Cook knew he wanted to be an artist way back in second grade, always
believing his talent to be God-given. That is the reason his signature appears in the shape of the Christian fish
symbol.
