Artist Vineta Cook is a contemporary abstract photographer and painter with roots in abstract expressionism. Her artwork has frequently been sourced for television and movie sets. Here's how she did it.
Artist Vineta Cook with her work.
Originally from Lithuania, Vineta currently lives and maintains her studio in Ohio. She works closely with the entertainment industry without living on either coast, where many shows are filmed. Back in 2011, Vineta got the idea to place her work on sets simply by watching TV and believing that her artwork could fit well there.
She had no idea how to accomplish this goal, and doing internet research was not very helpful. But she loved interior design, and through networking was able to contact a production designer who reviewed her portfolio. The feedback she got was favorable.
Vineta decided to connect with set decorators on LinkedIn, where she was eventually able to make a contact who viewed her work and loved it. They in turn referred her to a gallery in California that specializes in providing art for movies and television.
Some artists have an agent who tries to make these connections for them, but she did this herself.
Cook's artwork was placed in this episode of the TV show "The Mindy Project."
Through the gallery, her art has been widely sourced for television shows, including: "Hollywood Game Night" (NBC), "The Catch" (ABC), "Castle" (ABC), "Revenge" (ABC), "Two and a Half Men"(CBS), "Scorpion" (CBS), "Last Man Standing"(ABC), "One Tree Hill"(CW), "Up All Night"(NBC), "The Neighbors"(ABC), "The Mindy Project"(FOX), "Two Broke Girls" (CBS), "Bones" (FOX), "Jane the Virgin" (CW), "Cristela" (ABC), "Trial" (Amazon Series), "Big Little Lies" (HBO) and others.
Her artwork is also featured on the sets of three recent movies, including "Ghostbusters", "Message from the King" and "Jem and the Holograms."
Cook's artwork "Abstract Landscape N2" was purchased for "The Catch" TV Show.
The exposure she has achieved has led to working with major brands as well. Her photography has been used for Microsoft, Dove, Olay, Verizon, Mastercard, Discover Card, AT&T, Chase, Priceline, Avis, Humira, Comcast, Yoplait and Aveeno projects.
Vineta Cook's success is the direct result of reaching out to connect with professionals who could help her, and persistently pursuing contacts and referrals. She continues to work with the California gallery that she met through her networking activities.
Her advice for other artists who would like to also work with the entertainment industry? "Be visible. Unless you get a recommendation, it's hard to be considered. Dream big! Dreams can come true – but with lots of work. "