"I love to paint. I wake up each morning thankful . . . but especially thankful for my home life and where I fit in—needing to look no farther for inspiration. Having spent a career in graphic design where creativity was expended to fulfill someone else’s needs, I relish the opportunity to now create simply for self-gratification. There is a freedom to not subscribing to the dogma of consistent style, subject or some planned artist talk loaded with esoteric philosophical debate. A particular style may be used to enhance a feeling or narrative. Subjects need no manifesto to be understood. I approach each painting with a sense of wonderment and enthusiasm for the experience (MY GOSH THIS IS FUN!) while challenged by the process. This has resulted in a body of work held together only by my very personal, often autobiographical, collective narrative."

Trudy L. Cole is a Professor Emeritus of Graphic Design and Former Associate Director of the School of Art, Design and Art History at James Madison University. She is an accomplished graphic designer but has shifted her focus to the fine arts in retirement. 

Her many passions include painting, drawing, graphic design, animals, gardening and farm life in general, with a particular interest in that space where her passions meet. Here, we celebrate her oil paintings. 

www.equusc.com
for where her passion for horses and fine arts
meet her graphic design

www.tlcdesignonline.com/Cows.html
for what is new in 2024