Today we’d like to introduce you to Cora Oaks.
Hi Cora, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began in the charming town of Glen Allen, Virginia, nestled near the bustling city of Richmond.
Growing up on a picturesque property with several acres of countryside and a neighboring forest, my siblings and I enjoyed endless imaginative adventures, swinging on ropes over a tiny stream and envisioning it as the mighty Mississippi. Our property also included a cabin where LDS missionaries lived, and we cherished visiting them, forming close bonds with the sister missionaries who would braid my hair before school. It was always a race to see who would be first, me or the school bus.
My father, a commercial artist, worked in a large studio attached to our house, sketching storyboards for ad agencies. I admired him immensely and frequently joined him in the studio, watching him hunched over his drawing board, diligently working away. I would sit at a desk in the studio, drawing people, women from National Geographic, and portraits of my siblings. This exposure to the artistic process ignited a deep passion for creating imagery, especially focused on people.
In those days, the world relied on couriers to pick up my dad’s artwork for delivery, a far cry from the convenience of scanning and emailing today. Throughout my upbringing, my parents always supported and nurtured my creativity, with my father offering valuable criticism and advice. Even to this day, his guidance remains essential in my artistic journey.
Upon graduating from high school, my father took me on a memorable senior trip to Alabama to be a part of The National Portrait Society Conference, where I witnessed revered artists engaging in paint-offs with live models. This experience further fueled my enthusiasm for art. During my senior year, I also took a remarkable “paint from life” course at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, where I painted alongside retirees who shared the same passion for art.
After high school, I relocated to Utah, where I sought opportunities to expand my artistic skills. I contacted several artists, hoping to find an apprenticeship or understudy position. Fortunately, I connected with an artist who appreciated my work and invited me to apprentice with her. Additionally, I enrolled in Saturday classes with a group of other art enthusiasts, most of them were retired as well and enjoying their older years. These experiences proved invaluable in my artistic growth, surpassing what I had learned during my college art courses.
As life progressed, I got married and had three beautiful children, which naturally limited my time for creative pursuits. However, everything changed when the COVID pandemic struck. With a part-time job at the time, I decided to quit and dedicate myself to my creativity and art during my children’s online schooling. The children and I did our homework together online. Though I possessed a natural inclination and talent for art, I recognized the importance of further education and enrolled in classes at Sentient Academy online.
Throughout this period, I had the privilege of learning from exceptional mentors and teachers such as Rose Datoc Dall, Casey Childs, Albin Veselka, and Suchitra Bhosle, to name a few. I eagerly participated in gallery shows like the JKRGallery in Provo and was even invited to a Pop Up Art Show at Rose Datoc Dall’s stunning Woodland Hills home, where I relished the opportunity to collaborate with immensely talented artists.
Currently, I am diligently working on pieces for an upcoming gallery show at the JKRGallery scheduled to open on September 1st. My journey from a small town in Virginia to becoming an artist in Utah has been filled with inspiration, growth, and the unwavering support of my family and mentors.
I am filled with enthusiasm and anticipation as I continue my artistic journey, eagerly exploring new opportunities to express my passion for art. I have been deeply engaged in creating commissioned art pieces, crafting beautiful, timeless, heirloom-quality paintings for individuals seeking to adorn their homes with unique works of art.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been marked with various challenges that made it harder to push through and unleash my creativity. As a devoted parent, taking care of my little ones consumed much of my time, and while it was demanding, I wouldn’t have chosen any differently.
During those early years, I managed to paint a bit and took some art classes, but constant interruptions hindered my progress on my projects. Although it proved difficult, I came to accept that it wasn’t the right time to fully pursue my artistic career. Prioritizing my kids’ well-being was paramount, and even though it brought moments of frustration, I have found solace in knowing I dedicated precious time to them.
In addition to the challenges of parenting, I have also faced the trials of ADHD, depression, and anxiety. When I began immersing myself in my art, these conditions posed new obstacles, making it difficult to start projects and maintain focus. Moreover, I grappled with the fear of sharing my artwork on social media, which intensified my anxieties.
Even today, I continue to battle some of these hurdles, but thankfully, I now possess a broader range of coping mechanisms to combat these obstacles and work harmoniously with myself. These valuable tools have allowed me to embrace my artistic inclinations and create works that truly resonate with my soul.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in portraits painted in bold, creamy oil paints! I’ve been painting with them since I was 16. I think I’m probably most known for the colors and looseness I have in my paintings. I love to layer brilliant colors and use them in unexpected ways. I love to exaggerate hues and play with color temperatures and shadows in my paintings. I also love to experiment with painting the glistening sun and shadow on people.
I have a two-foot round painting called “Golden Hour” where I took on the challenge of painting my daughters with flowers, and sheer scarves in their hair on a quilt that I sewed as the sun started to set. The sun shone golden on their skin and dresses with lovely cool blue and purple reflections to compliment the painting. I love exploring light, sun, and shadows in my painting with people and creating timeless, living paintings for people’s homes.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d love to have you follow along on my artistic journey! I love to talk to my followers and share art tips, a peek into my life with my three grown kids, my son-in-law, and my supportive husband.
It wouldn’t be possible for me to enter galleries and art shows and paint commissions without their support as they cheer me on. You can reach out to me anytime with questions or thoughts and I will get back to you pretty quickly.
Contact Info:
- Website: Coraoaksart.com
- Instagram: @coraoaksart
- Facebook: Cora Oaks Art
- Twitter: @coraoaksart
Image Credits
Mirae Oaks Photography
