Biography

In 1998, long-time resident of the City of Ventura, Susan Cook, re-entered college. While attending Ventura College with hopes of becoming a landscape designer she found her true passion, painting. Under the tutelage of such remarkable faculty as Hiroko Yoshimoto, Carlisle Cooper and Robert Moskowitz, her formal art education began. She transferred to California State University, Channel Islands and earned her Bachelors Degree in Art, graduating Summa Cum Laude in their first class of 2003.

Cook is the proud recipient of the 2011 Mayor's Artist in the Community Award for the City of Ventura. She is also the recipient of numerous awards for her paintings that include: the Barney Dietz Purchase Award and Award of Excellence from the Ventura College Fine Art Department, the Presidential Award from Ventura College Foundation, and the Outstanding Student Award from Ventura College Friends of the Arts. Her work has been exhibited throughout Ventura County including solo exhibitions at Jonathan’s at Peirano’s and the Buenaventura Art Gallery, CSUCI, Affinity Bank, the Carnegie Museum, Studio Channel Islands Art Center, the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, and the Ventura College Art Gallery.

Cook is a Ventura City Public Art Commissioner, an Advisory Board Member of the Bell Arts Factory, and a past board member of the Buenaventura Art Association. She is also an active member of Focus on the Masters, Studio Channel Islands Art Center, Ventura College Friends of the Arts and Ventura Music Festival.

Articles written about Susan:

Ventura County Star
"Local Artist's sentiments speak volumes in paintings"
April 8, 2011

The Star
Time Out, "Spicy 'Palette'"
December 25, 2003

Studio Channel Islands Art Center
September, 2003

The Los Angeles Times, Ventura County Edition
"A Fresh Take on Some Very Familiar Places"
Josef Woodard
July 25, 2002

VC Reporter
"Less than Meets the Eye"
Consuelo Underwood
July, 2002

Prior Exhibitions and Awards