Both an artist and art educator, Mr. Cole, is a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and has resided in Atlanta, Ga. since 1985 where he has received numerous awards both as an artist and arts educator.  He has a B.S. in Art Education from the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff; a M.A. Art Education / Painting from the University of Illinois; and  M.F.A in Drawing from the Northern Illinois University.

A recurring theme in Mr. Cole’s works is necktie imagery, of which he offers the following explanation:

“When I turned eighteen years old, my grandfather stressed the importance of voting by taking me to a tree where he was told that African-Americans were lynched by their neckties on their way to vote.  The experience left a profound impression in my mind.  While evolving from a more expressionistic place to one of abstraction, the tie has also evolved.  Since 1992, I have deeply explored the interplay between color and music, particularly influenced by the musical art forms born out of African American culture: such as jazz music, R&B, hip-hop, gospel, and Blues.  Additionally, my journey has led me to the incorporation of other idioms and symbols that go beyond American existence.”