In the year 2000 I moved to Sonoma with the hopes of starting a family and settling into a quieter life in the country. I didn't know anyone when I moved here so I immediately joined the Community Center in hopes of feeling a part of something greater than myself. I signed up for a painting class even though I had no experience whatsoever. When I wandered into the class, I was greeted with a friendly smile and a very kind person who immediately put all of us nervous students at ease. Her name…Alex Cole.

Alex Cole is an amazing mother, artist, entrepreneur and now a great friend. It has been a pleasure to get to know her over the years. For the first seven years of her life she lived in France so it is no wonder that she chose to be an artist. Her art teacher and Mother encouraged her to pursue a career in art and she did just that. She was always cautious with going “all in” as an artist – learning the business side of things, spending time working in galleries, and learning the operational side of the business without ever losing sight of her true passion in creating art!

In addition to creating artwork, commissioned paintings and grand murals, she has been very generous in sharing her process and instructing those who are interested in learning to paint and create. She hosts workshops and private instruction throughout the year.

We are fortunate to now be neighbors – we both have boys who are only 6 months apart and adore each other most of the time. Now that we are only 50 yards from each other, we get to sit down together from time to time over a glass of wine and since Alex’s word for the year is “Collaboration”, we are doing just that! We will be hosting a workshop together here at the Chateau Sonoma Farm. We hope you can join us for an afternoon of creating and painting in anticipation of Valentines Day. The workshop “Paint Your Heart Out” will be on February 9th and champagne cocktails and hor’ d’oeuvres will be served.

Abientôt,

Sarah

Alex’s Picks

Favorite local gallery: DiRosa Preserve

Inspiration for her art: color, interior spaces, architecture and nature

Music to get into her painting groove: Sade, Ottmar Liebert and Leon Bridges