Paul Cooke - A master of many mediums

Artists in Tehachapi never seem to stop amazing me. Case in point, the work of Bear Valley Springs Cultural Arts member Paul Cooke. With a mind as complex and excited as his work is bold and varied, Paul is a gifted artist in every medium that he attempts and he has attempted them all. When asked how he is able to turn out such a successful number of pieces and in such a large volume he becomes very humble saying, "The work is great fun, I try to work on no more than one or two pieces at a time. Once started, I feel myself more like a vessel for something that's inside me. It just takes over as I work."

Paul was trained as a plasterer in the classical style of English apprenticeship combined with study. After five years of this study he was qualified to work as a plasterer on various homes and estates in his native England. Many of these jobs consisted of repairing or restoring, from molds, ornate gargoyles and decorative plaster cornices and ceiling rosettes. After moving to Bear Valley he refinished the interior walls of his home in plaster, and added several niches and alcoves to display his expanding body of work.

He has two buildings he uses as his studios. One is set up for heavy dirtier work, such as metal sculpting, along with rock and alabaster sculpting. The second studio is where he paints, builds masks, explores the art of scratch boarding, and wood prints. Paul also has work done in metal etching and linoleum cuts. One of Paul's current projects is a paper mache man, which includes The Cub, Tehachapi News and even The Loop as part of its form.

Paul's work can be seen at the upcoming Bear Valley Springs Cultural Arts Show and Sale. The event will take place with an opening night artist reception on Saturday Mar. 28 from 4-7 p.m. The art will remain in place and be for sale until April 5th. Bear Valley Springs Gate admittance this year has been made simpler. No reservations are needed just inform the gate guard you are going to the art event.