VALDOSTA — James Cocke is an artist and author currently residIng in Valdosta, but he has lived everywhere from from Waycross, Georgia, to Beaufort, South Carolina. What makes Cocke stand out is his ability to create inspiring work with limited vision due to advanced glaucoma. It doesn’t stop him from telling his story through paint or on paper.

Throughout his art career thus far, Cocke received the Georgia Artists with Disabilities’ Distinguished Merit Award in 2022, and his recent piece “Thinking” finished touring nationally on May 23.

Cocke’s painting “Thinking” features the silhouette of a “fellow and his old dog” sitting mountainside, inspired by the Gary Cooper film “Sergeant York.” Upon his painting’s acceptance into the traveling showcase, he was asked why he named his painting “Thinking,” to which he cleverly responded, “Because I couldn’t spell contemplating.”

Upon entering the artist’s residence for his interview, his passion for art was outstanding. He and his wife, Diane, showed off hundreds of colorful, abstract paintings, a display of Cocke’s talent, passion, and unique artistic scope. Some of the most intriguing were Cocke’s depictions of glaucoma-induced “night flashes.”

Cocke’s skills aren’t limited to painting. In 2016, the artist released his first book, “Cocke Tales: Memoirs of a Redneck Hippy,” an adventure-filled memoir full of heart wrenching stories, questionable decisions, and side-splitting humor currently available for purchase on Amazon. With enthusiasm, Cocke exclaimed, “I am a storyteller. I love to tell stories, and this book alone holds about 500 stories in it,” as handed over his own personal copy. The cover of his book features the Satilla River, where he grew up fishing as a young boy, eventually sharing the treasured waterfront with his sons.

Currently, Cocke is compiling a graphic book of his artworks to be published with the help of a local publisher. He also recently submitted a film script currently under review by the Georgia Film Festival.

Cocke’s attributes his success to unending support from his wife as well as his three sons, three daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren. You can find Cocke’s work at blindcockeart.com.