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Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook

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Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook

Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook (10 September 1926 – 28 May 2008)

Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook
Undoubtedly, there is a difference between an amateur and a naive artist. The amateur is engaged in painting for the sake of pure pleasure, and considers this occupation his hobby. However, a naive artist, not being a professional, continues to work and learns to use traditional techniques, but this does not mean that his painting is imperfect. In addition, the naive artist is more obsessed, and his lack of academic training often leads to the development of a bright individual style. And this is true with regard to Beryl Cook, who for the first four years of work became famous throughout the country.

Born 10 September 1926 in Reading, a bustling town 40 km west of London, Beryl Cook created her first picture only 37 years later. Happily married, she lived in the former Rhodesia, when she suddenly had the idea to draw a portrait of her neighbor – a large Indian woman. This portrait remained her only work until she and her family returned to England, where they settled in Cornwall, on the remote south-west coast of the country.

Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook

Escalator

And then, in a miraculous way, her style was born, full of natural humor, satirical, but at the same time benevolent. It depicts the weaknesses of human nature and the touching comic of everyday life. Themes for her paintings she draws in an active local life. In particular, the inhabitants of the city of Plymouth in Devonshire, sailors and tourists.

Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook

A biker

A biker

Her path to fame is phenomenal. It began with the fact that the local antique shop exhibited her several works. Then came the exhibition in Plymouth, Bristol and London, accompanied by the release of books and television programs dedicated to her.

According to the art critic of the London newspaper Evening Standard, Beryl Cook in many ways is the most remarkable thing that happened in British painting over many years …

Accordion player

Accordion player

Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook

A box of chocolate

A box of chocolate

A squirrel

A squirrel

All in the ladies' room

All in the ladies’ room

Animated promoters

Animated promoters

At the hairdresser's

At the hairdresser’s

Autumn harvest

Autumn harvest

Beer drinking

Beer drinking

Betting on the Favorite

Betting on the Favorite

Birds. Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook

Birds. Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook

Bumper Cars Thrill Ride

Bumper Cars Thrill Ride

Car boot sales

Car boot sales

Card players

Card players

Chinese cafe

Chinese cafe

Cleaning the street

Cleaning the street

Cocktail Reception

Cocktail Reception

Combing hair

Combing hair

Crossing the street

Crossing the street

Dancing

Dancing

Denim disco

Denim disco

Enjoying the party

Enjoying the party

Film posters

Film posters

Fruit market

Fruit market

Gambler

Gambler

Horse rider

Horse rider

In the library

In the library

Jazz singers

Jazz singers

Ladies in winter

Ladies in winter

Male striptease

Male striptease

Morning newspaper

Morning newspaper

Northern Belle

Northern Belle

Partying

Partying

Pigs' dance

Pigs’ dance

Plymouth Salvation Army orchestra

Plymouth Salvation Army orchestra

Police car

Police car

Reading in the metro

Reading in the metro

Relax on a bench

Relax on a bench

Shoe shop

Shoe shop

Shopping

Shopping

Solo performance

Solo performance

Tennis

Tennis

The Bijou Trio

The Bijou Trio

The ladder of the plane

The ladder of the plane

Three Amogos club

Three Amogos club

Trio

Trio

Walking dogs

Walking dogs

Wedding day

Wedding day

Based on the article in the magazine Anglia, published for Soviet readers in February 1981 (78)