Donald J. Cook

"In my work as an artist I seek to evoke the sustaining and cyclical connection we feel when we live consciously, closely, and joyfully with the land. The land itself, and the passage of time and the seasons, are the constants on which we build our lives. Our relationships to the land can range from pure contemplation of nature to active engagement. My work reflects these relationships with references to farming, apple picking, maple sugaring, and the splitting of wood for the stove. My illustrations for children encourages familiarity and delight in the presence of the natural world".

I am a working artist, and an illustrator for children's books. I'm currently writing and illustrating my own stories for children, and working on a graphic novel. My illustrations have been published by Random House, Putnam Grossett, Scholastic Books ,Houghton Mifflin, and others. My best known titles are "The Bravest Dog Ever, the True Story of Balto",by Natalie Standiford, "Abe Lincoln's Hat," by Martha Brenner, "Pirates" by Dina Annastasio, and "The Headless Horseman" by Natalie Standiford. My pastels, watercolors, drawings, and hand colored prints have been exhibited in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.,Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. and in solo shows in Greenwich, N.Y., Ithaca, N.Y.,and most recently at Galeria Rustica in Easton, N.Y. I live off the grid and off the beaten path with my wife Lili and our cat Regalito in rural Washington County, N.Y.