Creating is what I do, it is what I love — it is what life is.

I create because it is what feeds my soul. I’m always doing something and when it’s not painting that is feeding me, its graphic design, cooking, or being in nature. I love to lose myself in the creative process of painting — watching the changes as I put brush to paper or canvas — being in control, but at the same time not. There are always surprises and the surprises make the process more exciting. In my painting I think about color first and then about line or shape. I intuitively choose placement. Layering happens as I move through the painting process taking risks as I go. I am gathering the pieces of a puzzle and putting them into place without being held to a pre-conceived image but allowing the pieces to be juggled until finally they find a comfortable home. The process is complete when I feel most satisfied.

Irene (Ewasko) Cole grew up in Ringwood, New Jersey and now lives among the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont with her family.