Trahern “Tran” Cook, a professional illustrator from Columbia, SC, is shown in the process of painting The Lewis Theater on Court Street for a private commission. Doing exterior street scenes in acrylic, he says, is his chosen genre, which allows for plenty of street side conversations as people stop by and admire his work. Affable and easily engaged, Cook describes his approach to his work as being “all about relationships.” Cook has illustrated several children’s books and sometimes offers painting workshops. Cook has been married 21 years to his wife, Lori, a children’s librarian; the couple have two children, Mazie, 17 and Walt, 16. His visit to Lewisburg was a result of a request of family members who recently moved to the area. “Come visit our beautiful little town and start painting!” they said. I’m betting he’ll be back soon. (Photo and story by Peggy Mackenzie)
