Today we’d like to introduce you to Simon Cooksey
Hi Simon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Simon Cooksey, an artist and designer with a unique background rooted in the industrial heartland of England. Growing up in Cradley Heath, a small town in the Black Country, I was captivated by the region’s unique architecture and the smoky history of its coal industry. You should check out the Black Country Living Museum. Exploring the canals as a child, I was drawn to the quirky charm of the “Crooked House” Pub and the Olde Swan pub also known as Ma Pardoe’s, where I later honed my diverse skills, from renovations to serving and brewing during my university years.
My early life was filled with activity. I participated in various sports, including motocross, karting, football, athletics & cross country running. I was also a member of the Boys brigade, it’s like scouts mixed with military, with church attendance . I also embarked on several adventures, such as exploring Europe and road tripping the US, moving to Los Angeles, and backpacking through Southeast Asia. I took on unique challenges, like driving a steam roller across the UK, rebuilding a 1954 Anglia hot rod. snowboarding the Alps, running marathons, and playing for my local town’s football team (Old Hill Town).
This adventurous spirit has shaped my artistic pursuits. Fueled by a lifelong passion for cars and a childhood steeped in hot rod culture, my work blends my design expertise with a playful creativity. With nearly two decades of experience working with automotive giants as a digital modeler, building 3D digital models for Aston Martin, Bentley, and Volvo across the globe, I bring a unique perspective to my art.
Following a career shift, I launched SJCooksey.com, a creative outlet that allows me to explore my artistic passions. My debut project? A series of coloring books, launched in late 2023. Driven by a desire to inspire and ignite creativity in others, these books encourage people to disconnect from technology and rediscover the joy of the present moment. The success of these coloring books, venturing into themes like cars, travel, and gardening, has ignited a spark in me, leading me to start writing a young adult sci-fi novel – a project I never thought possible.
My studio serves as a gateway to my artistic expression. While commissions for car enthusiasts showcase my detailed sketching skills, my personal work delves into the world of abstract acrylic art. Drawing inspiration from Pop Art, Surrealism, my industrial roots, and the world around me, my artwork is a vibrant tapestry of my experiences and passions.
Today, I thrive in sunny Los Angeles with my husband, Haruty, and our beloved feline companion, Moira-Rose. When I’m not creating, you’ll find me embracing the California lifestyle and where i find my inner peace – camping, hiking, cycling, or tending to my garden. I also love visiting Art galleries and grabbing a tea at my local café, not forgetting hitting the gym each morning to get the day started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Id say most my education and career has been smooth sailing. I knew I wanted to be a car design or landscape designer, from I’d say, the age of 11, after leaving high school at age 16. I went to college in England to study 3D design for 2 years then Coventry university for 4 years where I studied automotive design. I was able to get a secure job during the 2008 recession with Bentley as a junior and stayed there for 5 year, I moved to Aston Martin which was always my dream company to work for and managed to help design James Bond’s DB10 in Spectre. My goal was always to be a design manager. I managed Volvos old Camarillo studio, known for many of Volvo’s concepts and production cars over the past 40 years. I always had the luxury to choose where I worked and getting to be a Design manager was what I always said I wanted. In late 2023, I had a very unexpected setback, as did my husband. Both our companies we worked for closed their doors. My initial instinct was to jump back into the job hunt, after all, I’d worked steadily for two decades. Instead, I took a step back and reflected. What I realized was that I needed to take a step away from the relentless pace of car design.
The pressure cooker of the automotive design industry is real. Since 2020, I’ve seen deadlines shrink and expectations soar, leading to an intense and unsustainable work environment. While it was tough, this experience ultimately helped me prioritize a healthier work-life balance and prioritize my well-being.
This led me to a new gear: focusing on my own creativity and getting ready to launch SJCooksey.com. It’s been an adjustment financially. Going from a consistent paycheck to no steady income was a challenge, but it meant we began working quick. The rewards are immense. It’s been a beautiful journey for the mind, body and soul, and it has encouraged me to look after myself a lot more; I go to the gym with my husband almost every morning to get our day started, and sometimes we stop by our local coffee shop Enigma, in Tarzana, I’m now designing my own brand, building my own business, and finally getting the opportunity to fully explore my creative side further. It’s a journey, but a rewarding one.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My passion for art has always been at the core of my identity, but my professional career as a car designer, digital modeler, and visualizer has significantly shaped my artistic journey. After graduating with a degree in automotive design from Coventry University, I moved to London to work at Ford. This experience led me to Bentley, where I spent over five years working in various design studios within the VW Group, including Ital Design in Italy, VW in Germany, and Seat in Spain. These experiences provided invaluable insights into the diverse approaches to design within the automotive industry.
My time at Aston Martin was particularly memorable, as I focused on concept car interiors, including the iconic DB10 featured in the James Bond film, Spectre. Following my stint at Aston, I moved to the United States to join Volvo’s design team in Camarillo. There, I played a pivotal role in growing the studio and team, eventually managing my own group of designers. I also contributed to the studio’s renovation, designing the kitchen and selecting furniture and plants to create a welcoming and inspiring workspace.
Today, my artistic pursuits extend beyond automotive design. I’ve been actively engaged in sketching, photography, painting, and creating coloring books. Additionally, I’ve taken on the challenge of building my own brand & website and building my own business. I used my skills to help my husband create his massage therapy branding, and help him design his website. I also helped create a product line for Haruty Studios.com, to sell, for our farmers markets appearance. This journey has been a learning experience, exposing me to different aspects of the design and selling industries.
My unique blend of experiences is what sets me apart and what makes me most proud. Growing up in a small UK town with an entrepreneurial family, I was exposed to a deep appreciation for design and craftsmanship, particularly through the vibrant hot rod culture. My two decades in the automotive industry, working for various companies and in different countries, have equipped me with a diverse skillset and a global perspective. Taking the leap to migrate to the US, meeting my husband, and starting my own business as an artist are significant milestones that I’ve achieved independently and ultimately most proud of.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Discipline, patience, trust, and courage are essential qualities that foster self-control, resilience, strong relationships, and the ability to overcome challenges, leading to a more fulfilling life. Id also say Loyalty and respect are values I learned early on, both in my small town upbringing and during my time in the car design industry. Building strong relationships with colleagues at Ford, Bentley, Aston Martin, and Volvo allowed me to thrive in diverse work environments. Discipline and focus were honed during those years, too, as I juggled demanding deadlines with a thirst for exploration. Driving a steam roller across the UK and rebuilding a 1954 Anglia hot rod instilled in me a can-do attitude and a love for tackling intricate projects.
Confidence in myself and my artistic vision, something I wrestled with during my career shift, has become crucial with SJCooksey.com. Whether it’s my photography, designing a new coloring book theme or showcasing my abstract acrylic art online, I believe in what I’m creating. This self-belief, combined with a healthy dose of self-care keeps me grounded and energized as I build my own artistic path.
Pricing:
- $375 – 18×24 Hand sketch Commissions
- $14.99 C0loring Books collection
- $25-$75 – Prints – in various sizes
- Art TBD
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sjcooksey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjcooksey.artist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjcookseystudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SJCooksey-Studios
- Other: https://linktr.ee/sjcooksey.studios
