Rockdale Citizen

Staff Photo: Karen J. Rohr. Artist Maxine Cook stands next to one of her paintings at the Olde Town Gallery & Studio, where she and her two sons will have an exhibit opening on Saturday at 7 p.m. The exhibit will hang at the gallery through Oct. 2.

An upcoming exhibit at the Olde Town Gallery & Studio is a family affair.

The Cook Family Art Show, which features works by Maxine Cook of Conyers and her two sons, Michael and Chris, kicks off with an opening reception on Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Gallery, 909 Commercial St. in Olde Town Conyers. Cost for entrance is $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

The primarily self-taught artists will exhibit more than 60 works, including acrylic paintings and multi-media works.

"What's unusual about this is that it's a family artistic thing. It's kind of rare," said Colye Justman, director of the Olde Town Gallery & Studio.

Justman said when Maxine Cook first approached him about hanging her work in the gallery, she wasn't sure it was ready for exhibition. Justman assuaged her concerns.

"I was just taken with it immediately. I thought she was exceptional," said Justman.

Maxine Cook's work is comprised mainly of acrylic portraits of women, with other pieces being mirrors embellished with unusual frames, and decorated furniture and footwear. Justman called her paintings of famous women "endearing" and said they're popular with buyers.

"I saw a definite style to her and that's one thing I look for in an artist here," said Justman. "Her art always has a finished quality ... and it's always gallery-ready, ready to go right on the wall."

Maxine Cook's grown sons will add their talent to the exhibit with their acrylic paintings.

Michael Cook paints primarily people in various settings.

"His coloration is how he expresses his emotions about the subject matter," said Justman.

Chris Cook, a commercial artist by trade, renders images of everything from human figures to landscapes.

"The most exciting thing about this family's art is that they do it because they love to do it and it reflects in what they do," said Justman.

To purchase tickets, visit www.conyersarts.org or visit the gallery at 909 Commercial St. in Olde Town Conyers. For more information, call the Olde Town Gallery & Studio at 770-929-9242.