Fred Cox, the innovative artist behind Fred Cox Fine Art, has built a reputation for creating serene, breathtaking landscapes using classical European techniques. Since founding his company in 1989, Cox has become a leading figure in the world of decorative arts, working with high-end designers, architects and celebrities while honing his craft through study and experimentation.
Cox’s path to artistry began with a love for painting in childhood, even if it was nurtured by accident. “I’ve been painting since I was around 12,” Cox recalls. “My parents traveled a lot, and we would go to my grandmother’s house for a couple of weeks every year. She would give us paint-by-numbers—I think just to keep us busy. I did hundreds of those things.”
Those early summer paint kits sowed the seeds of Cox’s future passion. However, life as a fine artist would have to wait. After college, he pursued a career in investment banking. When he got tired of the grind, he made a bold decision to leave the corporate world behind and dive headfirst into art.
Though primarily self-taught, Cox quickly immersed himself in formal studies, studying mural painting and trompe l’oeil techniques under some of the best masters in France, Italy and the United States. He also became involved in SALON, a prestigious annual gathering of decorative painters from around the world. “Some of those guys are incredible. We’re together for a week once a year, and it’s round-the-clock painting. It’s great to exchange ideas and see what everyone is doing,” he says.
Cox’s paintings often depict tranquil landscapes and natural scenes marked by a restrained color palette and a focus on light and shadow. The influence of artists such as J.M.W. Turner, the Impressionists, and Dutch and French masters, such as Vermeer, is apparent in his work.
Cox likes to paint large. “I work on large canvases, often up to 72 inches by 72 inches,” he says. “I start with a small sketch, and then add color to see where it takes me. My landscapes are often quite abstract initially, and then the color guides me to where it needs to go.”
Much like Turner’s evocative seascapes and landscapes, Cox’s work is defined by its atmospheric quality. His use of light and texture captures moments in nature that are both fleeting and timeless. And his process is intuitive; Cox doesn’t rely on rigid rules or plans but instead lets the painting evolve on its own. The ability to evoke a sense of place is one of the defining features of his work.
Though the artist enjoys the flexibility he didn’t have in his corporate career, he still puts in a full workday, often painting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fruits of his labor, however, are decidedly more fulfilling. “I want people to feel calm when they look at my work,” Cox says. “People often say, ‘I wish I were there right now.’”
Cox’s world travels often spark his work. For example, his recent three-week trip to Cornwall, England, resulted in a series of cliffside paintings conveying the rugged beauty of the coastline. “I love painting the landscapes that I see when I’m traveling,” he explains. “This year, I spent three weeks painting in Cornwall, and next year, I’m planning to go to Provence for another three weeks.”
The artist is best known for his landscapes, and his style has evolved significantly over time. In his early years, he was focused on achieving highly detailed and realistic depictions of nature, but his style has softened with time. “I used to try to paint everything exactly,” Cox says. “I was focused on being more realistic. But over time, my technique has become looser. Now, I enjoy creating more abstract landscapes that still capture the essence of what I see.”
One of the most striking aspects of the artist’s work is his minimalist color palette. Over the years, Cox has drastically refined his use of color, choosing a select few hues that create harmony and balance in his paintings. “I only use five colors: two blues, two greens and a creamy white,” he explains. This restrained approach has become a hallmark of his work, lending it a sense of unity and tranquility.
“I used to paint with a much brighter palette,” he adds. “But over time, I found that a more muted color scheme worked better for the work I wanted to create. I’ve used this palette in large pieces, and they sell really well.” The simplicity of his color choices belies the complexity of his process. His landscapes often evoke a sense of depth and atmosphere, even with such a limited range of colors.
While Cox has mastered classical painting methods, he is also known for pushing the boundaries of his craft. Recently, he started experimenting with gilding, silver leaf and resin to add new textures and effects to his paintings. These materials are often used in decorative painting, but Cox has found ways to incorporate them into his fine art pieces.
“I’ll paint a scene on a panel and then pour resin on top,” he explains. “The resin smooths out the surface and really brings out the colors in the painting. You have to be careful; it’s a delicate process. I love the effect it gives, though—it adds a level of depth that you can’t get with traditional methods.”
Cox’s willingness to experiment with new materials shows his commitment to innovation while still staying grounded in the classical techniques that have made him successful. His current works include a large abstract landscape (48 by 60 inches) and a painting of lemon trees (48 by 48 inches), both of which are part of his evolving portfolio.
Despite his success, Cox shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to continuing his work on commissions and participating in art shows around the southeastern United States, he has planned a trip to France in the coming year and is opening a studio and workspace in his new hometown of Griffin, Georgia.
For now, Cox’s paintings can be found at his monthly shows at the Scott Antique Markets in Atlanta, the High Point Market in North Carolina and the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas, as well as the new gallery in Griffin. His ability to bring tranquility and beauty into commercial and residential spaces has made him a sought-after talent in interior design. He often works by word of mouth, creating pieces for high-end designers and architects, and commissions for celebrity clients, such as Melissa McCarthy, Jack Black and Steve Harvey, and various music and sports figures.
Whether through a large-scale landscape or a custom-painted finish, Cox continues to create works that transport viewers to peaceful, serene places—capturing the essence of nature and the beauty of the human spirit. *
Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.
