Description: Pastel/Colored Pencil | Image Size: 8”h x 6”w; Framed Size: 14”h x 11 ½”w

This image depicts an individual of the Inland Plateau Region of Oregon and Washington, a subject that Roger Cooke specialized in. Done with skill and precision, Cooke was an accomplished portrait painter and this drawing reflects his talent in deftly capturing the individual and her traditional clothing details. Taken as a whole, Cooke’s work in this area presents a record of an entire culture and his images will preserve this period in that culture for years to come.

This piece was loaned to the Phippen Museum for the “Pastels – Color the West” exhibition in 2018.

Description: Pastel/Colored Pencil | Image Size: 12”h x 6”w; Framed Size: 20”h x 20 ½”w

This image depicts individuals of the Inland Plateau Region of Oregon and Washington, a subject that Roger Cooke specialized in. Done with skill and precision, Cooke was an accomplished portrait painter and this drawing reflects his talent in deftly capturing the individuals and their traditional clothing details. Taken as a whole, Cooke’s work in this area presents a record of an entire culture and his images will preserve this period in that culture for years to come.

This piece was loaned to the Phippen Museum for the “Pastels – Color the West” exhibition in 2018.

Description: Pastel/Colored Pencil | Image Size: 9 ¾”h x 7 ¾”w; Framed Size: 16”h x 13 ½”w

This image depicts individuals of the Inland Plateau Region of Oregon and Washington, a subject that Roger Cooke specialized in. Done with skill and precision, Cooke was an accomplished portrait painter and this drawing reflects his talent in deftly capturing the individuals and their traditional clothing details. Taken as a whole, Cooke’s work in this area presents a record of an entire culture and his images will preserve this period in that culture for years to come.

This piece was loaned to the Phippen Museum for the “Pastels – Color the West” exhibition in 2018.

Description: Pastel/Colored Pencil | Image Size: 12”h x 6”w; Framed Size: 19h x 12 1/2”w

This image depicts an individual of the Inland Plateau Region of Oregon and Washington, a subject that Roger Cooke specialized in. Done with skill and precision, Cooke was an accomplished portrait painter and this drawing reflects his talent in deftly capturing the individual and her traditional clothing details. Taken as a whole, Cooke’s work in this area presents a record of an entire culture and his images will preserve this period in that culture for years to come.

This piece was loaned to the Phippen Museum for the “Pastels – Color the West” exhibition in 2018.

Description: Pastel/Colored Pencil | Image Size: 6”h x 12”w; Framed Size: 10”h x 16”w

Roger Cooke’s (1941-2012) fine art career paralleled that of many of his peers as he too majored in illustration while attending the ArtCenter College of Design and his illustrations subsequently appeared in many advertisements, publications and periodicals. Within the fine art community, however, he is most noted for his oil paintings, pastel and pencil portraits of the Oregon Trail, the Inland Plateau Indians of Eastern Oregon and Washington, and scenic and wildlife paintings of the great Northwest. He also earned the title of “Johnny Appleseed of America’s small-town murals” since during his lifetime he produced over 60 murals across the country.

Thorough research was part of every pursuit and each work was equally executed with the utmost of skill and attention to detail. Authenticity gave his work weight and his talent and passion gave it life.

During 2003-2006, the Oregon Sesquicentennial Reenactment of the Oregon Trail and Reenactment of the Lewis & Clark Expedition gave Cooke a great opportunity to again use his skills to produce hundreds of illustrations about those historic events. And, the Washington State Historical Society commissioned Cooke to illustrate William Clark's diary accounts that depicted the Corps of Discovery's journey in Washington.

This piece was loaned in 2018 to the Phippen Museum in Prescott, Arizona, for its “Pastels – Color the West” exhibition.