Lania Cook is just 16 years old but has already found her calling – creating art. Her collection has been displayed at Freshies since Oct. 6, and the artist is thrilled to be showcasing her work.
“This is my first time selling anything, or even showcasing my art, so it’s a big deal,” she said during an interview with The Free Press.
Her work is mostly ink and pen working, featuring personified nature scenes, such as trees with eyes. Her creative inspiration is nature and the life that surrounds it.
“Fernie is a big nature place but a lot of people don’t take care of it in the way that they should. That’s why most of my pieces involve nature, like trees because they have more than they think to them,” said Cook. “Most people cut down a tree and think nothing much of it. I cut down a tree and I see the life in it, or the life that it had and that’s what I represent in this in a more peculiar way.”
Cook started experimenting with art from the encouragement of her late grandmother, who used to decorate their campsites.
“My grandma, she painted pieces of wood at our campsite to decorate the campsite so I helped her with that. And then it just sort of became my thing,” she said. Cook wants to continue creating art when she graduates from Fernie Secondary School in 2017. She credits the school for supporting more arts programs recently.
“The last two years, the school has gotten more into the arts scene, which has helped a lot,” she said, adding that her high school art teacher, Ms. Arnold, is a huge supporter of her work, which she really appreciates.
Her goal before she graduates is to get her art out into the community as much as possible. She’s hoping to get more galleries and restaurants interested in showcasing her work.
“I want to make sure my art is actually out there. I think I’m going to every other place that displays art before I leave. There are a few places that take art – as many places that I can get it in before I leave is good enough for me,” she said.
Her work can be found at Freshies, and Cook can be reached by email at lania02@hotmail.com.