We are delighted to offer True Blue: The Inspired Works of Anne Coke. This beautiful new release celebrates the work of Anne Coke, an exceptionally gifted self-taught artist who is known for her whimsical and personal artwork. Anne’s work has spanned multiple mediums over her 90+ years, from ceramics and bronzes to paintings and decoupage.
As Anne approached her nineties, Sissy Cullum, who has known Anne since childhood and plays a weekly bridge game with her, realized that her art and philosophy of kindness should be documented. With assistance from Sydney Hall and help from family, friends, and well-known photographers, she embarked on a project to capture and celebrate Anne’s artwork in a book. The process involved gathering pieces from across Dallas and interviewing those who had received her art as gifts, with each story adding emotional depth to the collection.
Featuring outstanding photography by Allison V. Smith and Evans Caglage, the book showcases Anne’s unique artistic creations. Her deep love of animals, especially dogs, is apparent! Anne’s husband, Father Henry Coke, is also prominently featured in much of her work. Father Coke was a much-loved member of the clergy staff at Saint Michael and All Angels Church from 1961 - 1976. The book provides a glimpse into Anne’s home, reflecting her artistic influences and particularly her fondness for Chinese porcelains ,,, and the color blue.
True Blue also celebrates the “true blue” friendships which helped to define her life and follows her decades-long friendships with a small group of artistic friends who met weekly at Anne’s home to share their creative talents. Longtime Dallasites will enjoy the stories of these devoted friends, and will likely know them! The author, Sissy Cullum, has been fortunate to know Anne Coke all of her life. Anne and Sissy’s mother, Trudy Best, met in the first grade at Bradfield Elementary and have been best friends since then! Over the years Betsy Best Cullum, Sissy’s sister and Anne Coke’s goddaughter, along with Sissy and their mother Trudy have received many of Anne’s original ceramics and paintings as special gifts. And so Sissy became entranced with Anne’s talent from an early age. In recent years, while playing weekly bridge with Anne, Sissy began to see the depth of Anne’s philosophy on life, the dedication to her friends and family and her devotion to God. It became important to Sissy to tell Anne’s story by showcasing her artwork and celebrating the way she orders her life.
And finally, this beautiful book illuminates Anne’s artwork of stories from the Bible - ceramics and paintings that have her whimsical and personal twist. True Blue - The Inspired Works of Anne Coke was truly al labor of love for the author. And it will be a beautiful addition to any coffee table! Available in our store and on our website.
