About me
She/Her/They/Them
Freelance copywriter extraordinaire…
I’m currently based in Chicago with my cat, Sophie.
Born and raised in Ohio, I grew up exploring the woods, building forts, and riding horses. My parents were always fostering my creativity; from painting, to playing the saxophone, to being a young author. As a Girl Scout I was continually learning about the world, the importance of service, and even how to sell a cookie or two.
I have taken these lessons to heart, spending over a decade teaching, painting, and writing.
I’m a big-picture thinker who obsesses over the details.
What I bring to the table:
A Depth of creativity and unique artistic perspective.
Leading and collaborating with diverse groups of people of all abilities.
A love of public speaking and presenting.
Multi-project management.
Entrepreneurial experience with marketing and sales.
Reducing complex language into bite-sized nuggets.
Turning abstract ideas into real products.
Knowledge of historical and contemporary visual culture.
Creating award-winning visual imagery and communications.
Understanding of multi-generational learners from Zoomers to Boomers.
My mission as a copywriter
I’m interested in solving problems.
I see the potential of advertising as a tool to meet peoples’ needs with innovative strategies. Successful advertising should create long-term positive change that improves the quality of life for all.
My creative background
Painting. Teaching. Writing.
For the past 10 years, I have dedicated myself to the creation of visual imagery through painting, teaching, and writing. The guiding principle of my approach is, “How do we use language and images to educate and empower people?”
Recent Professional Experience.
2022-present Copywriter (contract), KUZMA& Creative Agency, Chicago, IL
2022-present Freelance Journalist, New City Magazine, Chicago, IL
2012-present Freelance Fine Artist, Mel Cook Inc., Chicago, IL
2021-22—Editorial Assistant, Soberscove Press, Chicago, IL
2020-21—Drawing II Instructor (contract), Chicago High School for The Arts
2020—Teaching Artist Liaison (contract), College & Careers, Marwen
2019-20—Lecturer (contract), Intro to Painting, Art, Theory, Practice, Northwestern University
2016-20 Teaching Artist (multi-contract), Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, and Building College Portfolios, Marwen
-
RESIDENCIES, AWARDS, & GRANTS
2021—Chicago Creative Worker Grant, Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Chicago, IL
2021—Artist Relief Grant, United States Artists, Chicago, IL
2019—Lazuli Residency, Corinth, VT
2018—Artist in Residence, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2017—ACRE, Steuben, WI
2016—Skowhegan School Of Painting & Sculpture, Skowhegan, ME
2016—The Center Program, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
2013—Visiting Artist, Manneken Press, Bloomington, IL
2013—Studio Break MFA Competition winner
2012 —Irving S. Tick Award in Painting, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2009—Full Graduate Tuition Scholarship, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2008—Undergraduate Research Grant, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
-
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2022—Lost Intimacies, Adds Donna, Chicago, IL
2022—Dance to Anything, Drama Club, Chicago, IL
2021—Dream On, Belong Gallery, Chicago, IL
2020—Torrential Hag, Cleaner Gallery, Chicago, IL
2019—I Need a Voice Not a Body, Vital Signs MKE, Milwaukee, WI
2019—Somebody Told Me You People Were Crazy, Hathaway Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2019—With a Capital P: Selections by Six Painters, Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL
2019—Painting The Figure Now, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Wausau, WI
2019—Some Kind of (M)Other, 31, Yeah Maybe, Minneapolis, MN
2018—Mother of The Clown, Mel Cook + Molly Colleen O’Connell, Roots & Culture, Chicago, IL
2018—Local Comfort, LVL3, Chicago, IL
2018—LtdWear3, LVL3 and Tusk, Chicago, IL
2018—Women Painting Men, Riverside Arts Center, Riverside, IL
2018—The Chicago Show, 56 Downing St., Brooklyn, New York
2018—Continental Breakfast, Condo Association, Chicago, IL
2018—Winter Romance, Andrew Rafacz Gallery, Chicago, IL
2018—Nothing Is Ours But Time, Ukrainian Modern Institute of Art, Chicago, IL
2017—Eyes, Nose, Lips, Etc. Etc., Left Field Gallery, San Luis Obispo, CA
2017—El Sol Sale Para Todxs, Chicago, IL
2017—Unfurnished, Demo Projects, Springfield, IL
2017—Close To Me, Roots & Culture, Chicago, IL
2016—We Have a Back Room With Other Things: Mel Cook + Megan Stroech, Heaven Gallery, Chicago, IL
2016—New Business, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
2015—US, Comfort Station, Chicago, IL
2015—Time Share, Figure One Gallery, Champaign, IL
2015 —Things Will Be Fine, Jan Brandt Gallery, Bloomington, IL
2014—Between The Void, Peoria Art Guild, Peoria, IL
2013 —Still Life Revisited, Morton College, Cicero, IL
2013 —Prime, Heavy Brow Gallery, Bloomington, IL
2013—Mel Cook: Recent Monotypes, Manneken Press, Bloomington, IL
2012 —Sincerely, With Love, Illinois State University Galleries, Normal, IL
-
SELECTED PRESS & PUBLICATIONS
2020—“Torrential Hag at Cleaner Gallery Projects,” Sixty Inches From Center, 11-26-2020
2019—“Artist Lends Irreverent Touch to Hathaway Group Show,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7-11-2019
2019—“Cullum’s July Notebook: Disparate Parts Make a Whole at Hathaway," ARTS ATL, 7-03-2019
2019—“Cult Classics: A Conversation with Craig Drennen,” Burnaway, 6-4-2019
2018—“Conversations With The Inspiring Mel Cook,” Voyage Chicago, 7-24-18
2018—“Artist of The Week: Mel Cook,” LVL3, 6-5-2018
2017—“Artist Spotlight: Mel Cook,” Chicago Woman, 12-18-2017
2016—“Nicole Lane Interviews Mel Cook,” Vagabond City Lit, 11-03-2016
2016—New American Paintings, No. 125, Midwest Issue
2015—“Mel Cook/Erin Hayden,” Studio Break, podcast Interview, Episode 147, 8-14-2015.
2014—“Mel Cook,” Studio Break, podcast interview, Episode 103, 3-20-2014.
2013—Studio Visit, Volume 24, page 35.
2013—Art In Print, Volume 3, Number 1, page 43
2011—“Writing With Paint,” Writing With Images Symposium, Illinois State University, Normal, IL