JD Cole is a native of Oklahoma and seasonal resident of Texas and Alaska. His love of art is a life-long affair cultivated in his youth by the artistic pursuits and encouragement of his mother. Following 29 years of sharing that passion with students in public education, he is now achieving his dream of storytelling through full-time painting. He works primarily in oils in the style of classical realism.
Much of his work is inspired by the stories, 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 his images tell. In an effort to preserve the past, he pays tribute to the moments of an everyday life, nestled among personal artifacts, to celebrate the remarkable histories and stories contained within them.
JD is currently finding inspiration through observing today’s contemporary laborer or craftsperson. Immersed in their day-to-day actions, these persons and their age-old skills are the backbone of modern progress. Captured within their surroundings, JD explores the beauty found within a grittier time and space.
Recognition/Awards
2024 • BEST OF SHOW “Old-timer”, THIRD PLACE 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 PLACE in Drawing “Kindred Spirits”, HONORABLE MENTION “Marshall Stone”, Cowboy Tales Art Exhibit, Winnsboro, TX • BEST OF SHOW “Old No. 7” - Arcadia Art Show International, 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 • Finalist Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA • Finalist San Antonio Art League & Museum, San Antonio, TX • Finalist 39th Annual International Exhibit, Tyler, TX
2022 • 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 • Finalist Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, Cheyenne, WY
2021 • BEST OF SHOW “Contemplation” - Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, Irving, TX
• HONORABLE MENTION Conroe Art League Invitational, Conroe, TX
• 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
• 2015 - Winner - 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 - 2nd place - SFA Art Alliance 32nd Annual Art Show, Nacogdoches, TX