Hi, I'm Meryl
Let me share a little bit about myself so you can get to know me better.
Hi, I'm Meryl
Let me share a little bit about myself so you can get to know me better.
reinvention
This part of my story begins with reinvention. In 2015, after a diagnosis of breast cancer and a motorcycle accident the year before, I made the decision to leave my practice of homeopathy (which I loved!). I wanted to take the time to truly heal. Prior to homeopathy, I had worked in the corporate sector in Nova Scotia and the N.W.T.
I started to write daily in a journal (thanks to author Sheree Fitch) and spent lots of time hooking and designing mats.
During the first year, I wrote a couple of books and developed a new way of designing that took inspiration from my journals and used the Chakra Colour system.
In 2016 I launched my current business and have taught creativity and design workshops across Canada and the US (and online since 2020) starting with the fibre arts and journaling community. Drawn back to the corporate world, I began working with leaders and their teams, helping people to de-stress, connect and articulate a vision for their organization.
Colour, texture, joy and self-compassion are part of everything I do.
Self-compassion as the foundation and my art (colour, texture and joy) is reflected in the way I work.
art work
I always wanted to be an artist but never thought I could make a living at it. I'm very grateful to be an emerging fibre artist. In the past few years, I've had solo shows and have had pieces in group shows, including Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week (solo), Mary E. Black Gallery, Argyle Fine Art, the Virginia Quilt Museum and The Ice House Gallery. In July 2022 I joined the ART1274 Hollis Gallery. A selection of my fibre art as well as my books and Chakra notecards can be seen there. My work has been sold to individuals and corporations.
I'm becoming best known for my use of the Chakra colours and for my 'Wild Woman' series. My recent 'Ode to Lisa LaFlamme' series, devoted to renegade women with grey hair and lots of attitude has been a source of delight to many.
My 'Wild Woman' hooked series has resonated with others who too are 'wild women' in their own way. They are a proclamation, calling all women to find their voices and be wild with purpose.
I’m so grateful to be able to bring my whole artist self to everything I do.
"Her pieces exude a sense of power and a reclaiming of one's emotional journey, changing the narrative of how to process life's challenges. For others, especially women, Meryl's work has been an avenue through which conversations around inner healing and growth can take place." Brandt Eisner, Artist & Curator
What is my Why?
Regardless of which hat I’m wearing – team engagement, facilitation, speaking, writing, sharing my art – my why is to inspire others to connect with their joy and creativity. When our creativity is unblocked, we can embrace a renewed sense of purpose and experience increased energy and focus.
Awards
Scotiabank Volunteer of the Year Award at the Rotman Family Entrepreneurship Awards, November 2021
60+ Achievement Award from Atlantic Business Magazine in 2022.
Credentials
- Council member of the International Association for Journal Writing
- Member of Writers’ Council of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia
- Juried member of Craft Nova Scotia
- MSc in Applied Clinical & Industrial Psychology (Saint Mary’s University) 1983
In the media
- Meryl Cook on Simple Ways to Unlock Creativity, I Can Do Something About This podcast, Ep. 21, February 2023
- Meet the Multi-Talented Meryl Cook - People of Passion on YouTube, November 2022
- NS Reviews - March 10, 2022 - Feel the hand of the maker in Connections and Creations in Tatamagouche
- CTV Morning Atlantic – January 23, 2017 – Heidi chats with ‘One Loop at a Time’ author about her new book
- Global TV – January 18, 2017 – Local author Meryl Cook One Loop at a Time
- Local XPress News – January 9, 2017 – Rug hooking artist never let breast cancer throw her for a loop
- ATW Weekend Edition – Season 1, Episode 25 March 17, 2017 – Laura Bain visits artist Meryl Cook in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and discovers the healing power of rug hooking
- IWK Health Centre – PULSE Week in Review – Friday, May 12, 2017 – On the Wings of a Dragonfly: the story of how one nurse’s kindness inspired a breast cancer survivor
- ATHA Art of Rug Hooking, Issue 226 – August/September 2017 – Hook a Healing Mat – p.58-61
- The Chronicle Herald – January 16, 2018 – From Avid Journal Writer to Published Author
- Love in the Time of a Pandemic in Rug Hooking Magazine, Volume XXXI, Number 3, November/December 2020
- One Loop at a Time, article in The Wheel, Issue 31, 2019/2020
How can I get to know you?
Please join me on your favourite social media platform.