JD Cole
Fine Art Paintings
J.D. Cole is a native of Oklahoma and a transplant to Texas and Alaska. After 29 years in public education, he is finally achieving his dream of storytelling through full-time painting.
He is inspired by the stories, times, traditions, and crafts of the past: those that are at risk of being lost in the modern-day world. Deep-rooted traditions, life-long passions, continuing legacies, costuming, and experimentation provide the backdrop for the stories these images tell.
In an effort to preserve the past, he attempts to pay tribute to the moments of an everyday life, nestled among personal artifacts, to celebrate the remarkable life and stories contained within them.
JD works primarily in oils in the style of classical realism, has been featured in several publications and group shows across the country, and recently has begun to claim award status at prominent national exhibitions. He and his wife split their time between studios in Texas and Alaska.
Recognition/Awards
2024
• BEST OF SHOW “Old-timer”, Third in oil “Finding Center”, Honorable Mention “Returning Fire”, Cowboy Tales Art Exhibition, Winnsboro, TX
• BEST OF SHOW “Old No. 7”, Peoples Choice Award “Kindred Spirits”, Lake Granbury Art Association Fall Art Show, Granbury, TX
• BEST OF SHOW “Old-timer”, Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council Show (TRAHC), Texarkana, TX
2023
• BEST OF SHOW “Sweet Libations”, First in Drawing “Kindred Spirits”, Honorable Mention “Marshall Stone”, Cowboy Tales Art Exhibit, Winnsboro, TX
• Finalist Rockwall Annual Art Show, Rockwall, TX
• Finalist 39th Annual International Exhibit, Tyler, TX
• First Place in Drawing, “Kindred Spirits”, Conroe Art League (CAL) International, Conroe, TX
• Finalist Feathered and Furry Friends Exhibit, Red Bluff Gallery, Red Bluff, CA
• Finalist Unique By Nature Juried Show, McKinney, TX
• Finalist Richardson Civic Art Society Juried Exhibit, Richardson, TX
• BEST OF SHOW “Old No. 7” - Arcadia Art Show International, Tyler, TX
• Finalist Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA
• Finalist San Antonio Art League & Museum, San Antonio, TX
2022
• Finalist Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, Cheyenne, WY
• First Place in Drawing, “Kindred Spirits” & Third Place in Oil, “Steve” - CAL Fall Judged Show, Conroe, TX
• First Place in Oil, “Old No. 7” - Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, Irving, TX
2021
• BEST OF SHOW “Contemplation” - Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, Irving, TX
• Finalist Conroe Art League Invitational, Conroe, TX , Honorable Mention
• 2018 - Featured in County Line Magazine, November/December
• 2018 - Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal, May/June 2018 issue, page 71
• 2018 - Dining at Dolli's Diner - eatingwithduy.blogspot.com/2018/05/dining-at-dollis-diner.html
• 2016 - Top 10 in Texas Big 10 for Art at Katy Contemporary Arts Museum, Katy, TX
• 2016 - Finalist Conroe Art League Invitational, Conroe, TX
• 2015 - Winner of Plein Air Magazine advertising award Art of the Heartland National Juried Exhibition, SouthWest Artists/Mena Art Gallery, Mena, AR
• 2015 - Finalist in Dab Art's Neoteric International Juried Exhibition, The Hud Gallery, Ventura, CA
• 2015 - Winner of 2nd place in SFA Art Alliance 32nd Annual Art Show, Nacogdoches, TX
• 2015 - Finalist in Texas National Juried Exhibition, Nacogdoches, TX