Beryl Cook and how her prints ended up in the homes of millions

Beryl Cook is one of England’s best loved artists, creating art that didn’t alienate anyone. Beryl simply painted pictures of everyday life and people that she would see around her. These were pictures of ladies getting on the bus for a night out to the dustbin men collecting the rubbish in the morning. She was an everyday person; this can still be seen in her artwork and is why she is loved so much by the British public.

Beryl’s first love was a man called John Cook who lived across the road from her house in Surrey and they began a relationship when they were 15 years old. John was recruited to serve his country during the war as a member of the Merchant Navy. Whilst John was away serving his country they kept in touch and then in 1948 they tied the knot but it was not until Beryl’s son John was born that she found her artistic talent. In 1950 their son John was born and soon after the new family relocated to what is now Zimbabwe. During the 9 years they were there Beryl would use her son John’s paint set to paint the odd picture to pass the time but these were far from the Beryl Cook prints we see today.

When they returned to England John found a job in the motor industry in Bodmin, Devon where they became friends with a local antiques dealer. The antiques dealer loved Beryl’s artwork and asked if she’d be interested in selling some in her shop. All 3 paintings sold quickly and this inspired Beryl to start painting more often and sell her paintings through her friends shop.

Despite never really promoting herself as an artist or actively trying to sell paintings, Beryl still managed to become a successful artist. This was mainly because of postcards and prints of her work that were both affordable and non threatening to the people that bought them. It wasn’t until Beryl Cook reached her later life that she became a recognised artist that is loved all around the globe.

 

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