He next questioned if I would be interested in taking a look at a few art school catalogs . And I then made a life altering decision : instead of saying ‘ Nah , I ' ve already made my decisions about the future !’ I said ‘ Sure , why not ?’ Which has become the story of my life ; always open for trying something new and unexpected .”
That decision to try something new put Cole on a path to creating a beautifully unconventional life . He spent a decade in NYC making a living as a fashion designer and illustrator , then graphic designer before moving to Philadelphia in 1986 , where he has lived ever since . In between NYC and Philadelphia he spent six years in Portsmouth , NH working for Samuel Weiser Inc , a New York book publisher . Though he has been “ away ” from home for many years , his experiences at Thornton Academy and his upbringing in Dayton , Maine played a significant role in his evolving awareness as a creative human being , and the life he built for himself .
His life may be best represented by his ultimate art project — his Philadelphia home , which is often described by visitors as “ spectacular .” As a lifelong professional artist , Cole ’ s home became a natural extension of his creative work . All four floors , including an abundantly decorated basement , have been transformed into a museum dedicated to his life ' s work . “ I ' ve created and sold a lot of ' product ' in my years as an artist , but my creativity has always outpaced my marketing skills . Therefore , I still live with a lot of art — my own — on the walls …[ it ] is an experience ; a feast for the eye and soul .”
In a stroke of luck , and as a result of an alumni reconnection , one of Cole ’ s artistic experiences found its home on an Alumni House wall due to the generosity of Judy Hargreaves Fichtenbaum ’ 62 , a classmate of Coles , who reconnected with him at their 50th class reunion in 2012 . The event brought them back together , and since then they have stayed connected by email . “ Several years ago Judy visited me while in Philadelphia visiting her daughter who was in school at Swarthmore . We had a great chance to catch up on our lives , and while here she purchased one of my landscapes ,” explained Cole . With the help of TA Alumni Board Member and fellow classmate , Roberta Sargent Gallant ’ 62 , Fichtenbaum then donated the piece to Thornton Academy .
Although he still draws and / or paints recognizable landscapes , human figures in mythic settings , and the occasionally commissioned portraits , his favorite type of work to create these days are his luminaries , which he refers to as “ New Age Bordello lighting .” He describes his greatest pleasure as “ configuring and wiring my evening lamps illuminated with color changing light .” He particularly appreciates that one of his most personal artworks has found a home on the campus that played such a big role in his development and growth . “ I ' m honored to be represented there , right in plain sight in the Alumni House , giving good vibes . How nice to be represented in the place where so much started that prepared me for a very interesting life .”
Cole ' s luminaries fill his home with " New Age Bordello lighting ."
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