Observations and stories of art and creative energy exchanges.

Celebrating 29 Years

Pop the champagne and blow out the candles! I couldn’t be more excited to share my celebration of 29 years online! My art website, ADCook.com (featuring a collection of my paintings and our design team’s creative work), was initially launched on October 23rd, 1996, mainly as an art portfolio site. Over the past three decades, it has undergone significant growth, now standing at over a thousand pages, encompassing a diverse range of content, including pages and posts on art and the life of an artist.

A.D. Cook October 20, 2025

Lenny’s Burger Car Show

Last week was a bust for car shows across the Phoenix/Mesa Valley. We had massive rainstorms and flooding, so needless to say, there were no car shows. So, this week I checked out Lenny’s Burger Car Show on Saturday, October 18, which is typically hosted on the second Saturday from 8 AM to 11 AM.

A.D. Cook October 19, 2025

Gilbert Cars & Coffee Season Opener 2025-2026

It was a great day for a car show, and the Gilbert Cars & Coffee 2025-2026 Season Opener hosted at the Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers did not disappoint. The last time I visited CBCB was last January, and I remember it as a fantastic show, worthy of a revisit. So, in celebration of car show season, I couldn’t resist a morning of cool cars and chrome.

A.D. Cook October 4, 2025

It’s Car Show Season

One of my favorite pastimes during downtime is attending car shows and taking photos to inspire my art. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing rare models up close and engaging with fellow enthusiasts who share the same passion. Now that the local temperatures are dropping to a comfortable level (at least compared to July through September), there is no shortage of great car shows in the Phoenix/Mesa Valley, and I’m looking forward to attending as many as I can.

A.D. Cook October 3, 2025

Las Vegas Brewing News: October 2025

This month spotlights Pub 365, Big Dog’s Brewing Company Dogtoberfest, BJ’s Brewhouse, Brews Best Beer Garden, Beer Zombies Flannels & Beer, the Downtown Brew Festival, the CraftHaus Brewery Chili Cook-Off, Rock N Grapes Wine Pub, and much more.

Bob Barnes September 28, 2025

Celebrating TeamWWF at INDY

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to attend an exciting trip to Indianapolis in support of the talented Wings & Wheels Foundation driver Aaron Jeansonne, who was competing in the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup at the legendary and iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This event not only showcased the incredible skills and determination of the drivers, but it also allowed me to immerse myself in the thrilling atmosphere of motorsport, surrounded by passionate fans and the roaring engines of high-performance racing cars.

A.D. Cook September 26, 2025

MOMENTUM 100 Day Countdown

If you have not yet visited the National Corvette Museum, it’s time! My diptych painting, MOMENTUM, featuring a 1953 and a 2023 Corvette, is still on display through the end of 2025. I created this epic creation in celebration of Corvette’s seventieth anniversary as part of the LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automotive and Motorcycle Paintings Exhibit, which ran from March 15, 2024, through January 5, 2025.

A.D. Cook September 21, 2025

Las Vegas Brewing News: September 2025

This month spotlights the Crab Corner Brews & Blues Food & Beer Festival, CraftHaus Brewery HausFest 11, Pub 365, Beer Zombies Flannels & Beer, Bad Beat at the Arts District, Neon Desert, Nevada Brew Works, The Spot, and much more.

Bob Barnes August 28, 2025

Corvette Museum 31st Anniversary Celebration

The National Corvette Museum’s 31st Anniversary Celebration kicks off TODAY! From August 28–30, join the National Corvette Museum as they honor 31 years of preserving, sharing, and celebrating the legacy of America’s Sports Car. While online registration is closed, you can still join the celebration with on-site registration available in the Wendell Strode Club Room throughout the event.

A.D. Cook August 28, 2025

My ACEO Art Card Journey

My story began a long time ago, and it is a journey that has shaped who I am today. From the earliest days of my childhood, I have always drawn, sketched, and doodled, expressing my thoughts and feelings on paper, whatever the medium may be. If there were a pencil and paper nearby, I would inevitably be found happily immersed in my art, creating characters and scenes from my imagination without any hesitation. Art became my sanctuary, allowing me to explore the depths of my creativity and communicate in ways beyond words.

A.D. Cook August 20, 2025

The Lustrous LUSTER Tour ~ 2018 to 2025

As the saying goes, all beautiful things come to an end. After seven-and-a-half years and twenty major museums, the LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Paintings exhibition has come to an end.

A.D. Cook August 17, 2025

American Artist ~ Marc Jones

In celebration of American Artist Appreciation Month, I am sharing the art and backstory of fellow LUSTER artist, Marc Jones. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Marc casually since March 2018, when we both appeared at the Museum of Arts and Sciences at Daytona Beach for the premiere of the LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Paintings Exhibition.

A.D. Cook August 13, 2025

Posts & Updates

Observations and stories of art, cars, life, and creative energy exchanges.