Poetry Reading Beryl Cook Limited Edition Print Rare Number 339 out of 850

  
It is numbered using the Fine Art Guild Code "DAK" - Number 309 out of a limited edition quantity of 850. Bargain price compared to other listings.

(10 September 1926 - 28 May 2008) was an English. Artist best known for her original and instantly recognisable paintings. Often comical, her works pictured people whom she encountered in everyday life, including people enjoying themselves in pubs, girls shopping or out on a hen night.

Shows or a family picnicking by the seaside or abroad. She had no formal training and did not take up painting until her thirties. She was a shy and private person. And in her art often depicted the flamboyant and extrovert characters she would like to be. Cook admired the work of the English visionary artist Stanley Spencer.

His influence evident in her compositions and bold bulky figures. Another influence was Edward Burra. Who painted sleazy cafes, nightclubs, gay bars, sailors and prostitutes, although, unlike Burra, she did not paint the sinister aspects of scenes.

She had an almost photographic memory. Although widely popular and recognized as one of the most well-known contemporary British artists, Cook never enjoyed acceptance by the art establishment. Since her death in 2008 Beryl's son John & granddaughter Sophie have run the official Beryl Cook website. Providing a fun but factual look into the life of one of Britain's best loved artists. Beryl was born in Egham.

As one of four sisters. Lansley and Ella Farmer-Francis, separated very early and mother moved to Reading.

There, but left education at fourteen and started to work in a variety of jobs. Having moved to London towards the end of war.

Beryl attempted working as a model and showgirl. In 1948, she married her childhood friend John Cook, who was in the merchant navy. When he retired from the sea, they briefly ran a pub in Stoke-by-Nayland.

Their son John was born in 1950. And in 1956, the family left to live in Southern Rhodesia.

They would remain in Africa for the next decade, where in 1960, Cook produced her first ever painting, Hangover. In 1965, where Beryl focused more on her painting.

They then moved to Plymouth. In 1968, where they bought a guest house on the Hoe. Cook shared her time between running the guest house and producing more and more paintings. In the mid-seventies, her works caught the attention of one of their guests, who subsequently put her in touch with the management of the Plymouth Arts Centre.

Where her first exhibition took place in November 1975. The exhibition was a great success and resulted in a cover feature in The Sunday Times. This was followed by an exhibition at the Portal Gallery in London in 1976, where Cook continued to exhibit regularly until her death. Cook was enjoying growing popularity and her paintings soon were in great demand. Her first book of collected arts was published by John Murray. In 1978, and in 1979, a film was made for LWT. S The South Bank Show. Where she discussed her work with Melvyn Bragg.

Cook then collaborated with such authors as Edward Lucie-Smith. By providing illustrations for their books. She continued to regularly publish books of her own artworks up into the early 2000s, including Beryl Cook's New York (1985), inspired by her visit to the New York City. In 1995, Beryl Cook was awarded the Order of the British Empire.

She did not attend the official ceremony due to her shyness, and accepted the honour at a quieter ceremony in Plymouth the following year. In 2002, her painting The Royal Couple featured in the Golden Jubilee. Made two animated films called Bosom Pals using characters from her paintings, voiced by Dawn French. And broadcast in February 2004. Produced a short film on Beryl and her work in 2005, and she was also the featured artist in BBC Two.

Beryl Cook died on 28 May 2008 at her home in Plymouth. Mounted a major retrospective exhibition in November that year. In 2010, two of her paintings were used as part of the Rude Britannia exhibition at the Tate Britain. Beryl Cook's paintings have been acquired by the Gallery of Modern Art. In Glasgow, Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.

Plymouth Art Gallery and Durham Museum.