Artist Statement

I have always been intrigued by color and the way subtle value changes can make the shift from a flat plane to a three dimensional shape. The “language” of watercolor, the way the transparent pigment flows on the paper and then can explode with gusto or quietly blend using  a wet onto dry method, this is what keeps me excited about this marvelous medium.

Biography

Born in Oklahoma to the children of his Grandparents, Cole’s early formative years in a single wide pink trailer helped coalesce his need for a creative outlet. After a slight diversion to college, medical school, residency, and medical practice,  he finally landed with his brush in hand, watercolor on his palette and paper in front of him. Cole has studied with John Salminen, Catherine Anderson, Betsy Dillard-Stroud, Frank Francese and others.

Awards

2013 Tom Jones Award / American Frame Award “Florida Watercolor Society 42nd Annual Exhibition”

2011 First Place – Bonnet House Museum “Impressions of Florida Exhibit”

2010 Honorable Mention – Bonnet House Museum “Impressions of Florida Exhibit”

2009 First Place – Florida Watercolor Society “Florida Watercolor Society Online Exhibition”

2008 First Place – Florida Watercolor Society “Paint Up a Storm” Florida Watercolor Society Exhibit

2008 Best of Class: Painting – ArtsUnited “Art Explosion”

2008 Honorable Mention – Gold Coast Watercolor Society “Volunteers Exhibit”

2008 Judge’s Recognition – Gold Coast Watercolor Society “33rd Members Exhibit”

2007 People’s Choice – Gold Coast Watercolor Society “Watercolor! The Beauty of Transparency”

2007 Judge’s Recognition – Gold Coast Watercolor Society “32nd Members Exhibit”

2007 Judge’s Recognition – Broward Art Guild “Recognizing the Florida Lifestyle”

2007 Judge’s Recognition – Gold Coast Watercolor Society “Workshop and Classes Exhibit”

2007 Best in Show – Broward Art Guild “57th Annual Members Exhibit”

2007 Juror’s Recognition – Broward Art Guild “Summer Exhibition”

2006 People’s Choice – Gold Coast Watercolor Society “I Love Watercolor Exhibit”

2006 First Place – Gold Coast Watercolor Society “Volunteers Exhibit”

2005 Honorable Mention – Gold Coast Watercolor Society “30th Annual Members Exhibit”

Solo Exhibition

2014 “Shadow Journeys” Werkstatte Galerie, Munich, Germany

2008 “Journeys: World Travel Experiences” Atlantic Hotel and Spa , Fort Lauderdale, FL

Group Exhibitions

2015 “Florida Watercolor Society 44th Annual Exhibition”, Leppa-Rattner Museum of Arts, Tarpon

Springs, FL

2015 “Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition”, Blackrock Center for the Arts, Germantown, MD

2013 “Florida Watercolor Society 42nd Annual Exhibit”, Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota, FL

2013“Gold Coast Watercolor Society Members Exhibit”, Coral Springs Museum of Art, Coral Springs,

FL

2012 “Southern Watercolor Society 35th Annual Exhibit”, Sautee Nacoochee Center, Sautee

Nacoochee, GA

2012 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society Exhibition”, ArtServe, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

2011 “Impressions of Florida Exhibition” Bonnet House Museum, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

2010 “Southern Watercolor Society 33rd Annual Exhibit” Madisonville, KY

2010 “Impressions of Florida Exhibition” Bonnet House Museum, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

2009 “Florida Watercolor Society Online Exhibition 2009”

2009 “Florida Watercolor Society National Exhibition 2009” , Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL

2009 “Georgia Watercolor Society Member’s Exhibit 2009”, Arts Clayton, Jonesboro, GA

2009 “Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibit 2009”, Colquitt Arts Center, Moultrie, GA

2008 “Transparent Watercolor Society of America 2008 National Exhibit”, Bloomington Art Center,

Bloomington, MN

2008 “Georgia Watercolor Society Member’s Exhibit 2008” AHT Center for the Arts, Valdosta, GA

2008 “Florida Watercolor Society National Exhibition 2008”, Cornell Museum, Delray Beach, FL

2008 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2008 Florida Focus,” ArtServe, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

2008 “ArtsUnited Art Explosion Visual Arts Exhibit 2008,” ArtServe, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

2008 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2008 Volunteers Exhibit,” Tamarac Library Gallery, Tamarac, FL

2008 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2008 33rd Members Only Exhibit,” South Regional Library Gallery

2007 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2007 Watercolor The Beauty of Transparency,” Coral Springs

Museum of Art, Coral Springs, FL

2007 “Georgia Watercolor Society Members Exhibit 2007,” Hudgens Center for the Arts, Duluth, GA

2007 “Broward Art Guild 2007 Recognizing the Florida Lifestyle,” Broward Art Guild Gallery

2007 “Broward Art Guild 2007 Portraits/Self Portraits Exhibit,” Broward Art Guild Gallery

2007 “Cornell Museum of Art 2007 All Florida,” Cornell Museum of Art,

2007 “Broward Art Guild 2007 Summer Exhibition,” Broward Art Guild Gallery

2007 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2007 Workshops and Classes Exhibit,” Ann Kolb Center,

2007 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2007 Florida Focus,” ArtServe

2007 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2007 32nd Members Exhibit,” Sixth Floor Gallery Broward

County Main Library

2007 “Bonnett House Museum 2007 Impressions of Old South Florida,” Bonnet House,

2006 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2007 Volunteers Exhibit,” City of Sunrise Civic Center Gallery

2006 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2006 I Love Watercolor,” Coral Springs Museum of Art,

2005 “Gold Coast Watercolor Society 2005 30th Annual Members Exhibit,” Shacknow Museum of Fine

Art

Professional Affiliations

National Watercolor Society; Associate Member

Transparent Watercolor Society of America; Life Member

Southern Watercolor Society; Signature Member

Baltimore Watercolor Society, Signature Member

Georgia Watercolor Society; Signature Life Member

Florida Watercolor Society; Signature Member

Gold Coast Watercolor Society; Signature Life Member