Cole Gallery

Denise Cole - Oils

Denise Cole - Oils

After graduating from college, Denise Cole worked for 20 years in the field of social work with special needs children in adoption. Turning her focus back to the arts, she began her career in painting in the 1990s. Combining her training in classical oils with influences from the Impressionists she tackled both watercolor and oil painting with intensity and purpose, creating a distinctive style which pervades all her art. In the past twenty years Denise’s award-winning paintings have been featured extensively in juried shows and galleries. In 2006 she was given the honor of being the poster artist for the Edmonds Arts Festival. She has been art instructor since 2001 and has served on many boards and is currently the founding board member of Art Walk Edmonds and the chair of Mural Project Edmonds.



Denise also has taught courses in art career development for Edmonds Community College and other arts organizations. In 2014 she was awarded the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce Business Arts award for recognizing the positive community impact of business support of arts and culture. After opening Aria Studio Gallery in 2001, Denise opened Cole Gallery in 2006. With a vision for bringing nationally acclaimed artists to the Edmonds community along with a workshop space, Cole Gallery now sells art internationally, representing artists from all over the country, while still specializing in regional art. In 2012 Denise opened ARTspot art supply store with business partner, Tracy Felix which they ran together until 2020.



Denise states: Opening Cole Gallery has been one of the most rewarding journeys in my life. I am so thankful to all of my artists, collectors, and friends for making these business ventures this possible. I believe our gallery has really brought the artist community and art collectors together and has given people the hope and encouragement needed to try their hand at art through our workshops and classes. Great art sings to the soul, and my soul sings every day when I walk into work. After several years of focusing on the business of art, I am still hoping to get back to painting myself, which always seems to be at the end of the list. Art really is my passion, whether selling other artists’ work, helping to support artists in our community or painting myself. It is in my soul and mind, it is what God created me to do.



Denise states: Opening Cole Gallery has been one of the most rewarding journeys in my life. I am so thankful to all of my artists, collectors, and friends for making these business ventures this possible. I believe our gallery has really brought the artist community and art collectors together and has given people the hope and encouragement needed to try their hand at art through our workshops and classes. Great art sings to the soul, and my soul sings everyday when I walk into work. After several years of focusing on the business of art, I am still hoping to get back to painting myself, which always seems to be at the end of the list. Art really is my passion, whether selling other artists’ work, helping to support artists in our community or painting myself. It is in my soul and mind, it is what God created me to do.