A landscape painter in Sonoma Valley, Alex Cole has spent more than 25 years teaching women to trust the creative process. She shares what painting taught her, the idea of success she outgrew, and the advice she gives anyone who hasn’t started.
Alex Cole has spent three decades painting the landscapes of Northern California, and most of that time teaching other people to find their own way to a canvas. She is a landscape painter based in Sonoma Valley, the founder of Alex Cole Studio and The Artist Table, and for more than 25 years she has led workshops, retreats, and the gatherings she calls Artist Table Talks.
Her work is as much about teaching as it is about painting. Alex built a creative career on her own terms, and rather than guard what she learned, she hands it to the women who sit at her table. She talks openly about the uncertainty and fear of her own beginning, and she teaches people to start before they can see the whole path.
Tell us about yourself and what you’re building.
At the heart of it, I’m building creative lives centered around art, nature, community, and curiosity.
I’m a landscape painter based in Northern California, and my work is inspired by the places I spend time in and the experiences that stay with me long after I’ve returned home. Whether it’s walking through the hills of Sonoma County, traveling abroad, or simply noticing the changing seasons, those observations eventually find their way into my paintings.
But over the years, I’ve realized that what I’m building extends beyond the artwork itself. Painting has taught me so much more than how to use materials or compose a canvas. It’s taught me how to observe more carefully, how to sit with uncertainty, and how to keep moving forward when I don’t yet know the outcome. The creative process has become a practice in courage, trust, and paying attention.
That philosophy naturally carried into my teaching. I’ve spent more than 25 years leading workshops and creative experiences, and what I enjoy most is creating spaces where people can slow down, connect, and rediscover their own creativity. Whether I’m hosting a retreat, teaching a workshop, or mentoring artists through my Artist Table Talks, my goal is less about teaching someone to make art and more about helping them see differently, be courageous.
If there’s a common thread through everything I do, it’s the idea of gathering. Gathering inspiration from the world around us, gathering people around a shared experience, and gathering the confidence to follow our curiosity wherever it leads.
I hope my paintings offer a sense of calm and wonder, and that my teaching encourages others to trust the creative process, both in art and in life.
What’s a belief about success, work, or what women are supposed to do that you used to hold and no longer do?
I was fortunate to grow up with a mother who challenged many of the traditional expectations placed on women. She was a single mother raising my brother and me, and she worked incredibly hard. She owned her own business, took on all kinds of jobs, and showed me what determination and resourcefulness looked like. Because of her, I never really felt limited by what women were supposed to do.
What I did struggle with was my own perception of success.
For a long time, I looked at artists I admired and assumed there was a particular path to achieving success. I thought certain milestones, opportunities, or levels of recognition were what defined a successful career.
Over time, I’ve come to realize that success is much broader than that. There isn’t one path, and there isn’t one definition. I’ve met artists who are successful because their work reaches a wide audience. Others because they’ve built a sustainable business. Others because they have the freedom to create on their own terms. After 30 years of being a working artist I have now achieved all three of these.
One of the biggest shifts for me has been allowing myself to think bigger about what might be possible while also defining success for myself. Today, success feels less about comparison and more about creating meaningful work, continuing to grow, connecting with others, and building a life that feels aligned with my values.
I’ve learned that there are countless ways to get where you want to go, and often the most fulfilling path is the one you create yourself.
What’s one small thing you did in your business to bring more meaning or light into the work you do?
One small thing I’ve done is become more open about sharing my own journey as an artist.
When I teach workshops, I don’t just talk about paint, technique, or materials. I share the story of how I became a painter, including the uncertainty, fear, and vulnerability that came with finding my way. I talk about the years of exploring, experimenting, and learning to trust my own instincts rather than following a prescribed set of rules.
What I’ve found is that when I share those beginnings honestly, something shifts in the room. Students feel more at ease. They realize that creative growth isn’t a straight line and that uncertainty is a natural part of the process.
Many people arrive at a workshop carrying the pressure to do things correctly. Hearing about my own struggles and discoveries gives them permission to let go of perfection and become more curious. They start paying attention to what excites them rather than worrying about whether they’re doing it right.
It’s a small thing, really. Just being willing to share my story. But it often creates a deeper connection than any technical lesson. It reminds people that creativity isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to explore, trust yourself, and keep going.
What would you tell the woman reading this who sees herself in your story but hasn’t started yet?
Just begin.
Don’t worry so much about what the end result is going to look like or all the things you think you’ll have to do to get there. Most of us can talk ourselves out of starting before we’ve even taken the first step.
When I first started thinking bigger about my future and what might be possible, I remember feeling overwhelmed by how much work it would take. The funny thing is, I work really hard now, but it feels completely different because I genuinely love what I do.
What I didn’t realize back then is that when you’re building something that’s truly yours, the hard work comes with a lot of freedom. Some mornings I start slow with a coffee and then a walk, I may not get into the studio or to the computer till mid morning. I’ve had lunch dates with friends that lasted much longer than planned. And that’s okay. I’m the one deciding how my day unfolds.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. Just take one step toward the person you want to become. Then take another.
And one more thing… pay attention to who you surround yourself with. Seek out people you admire, whether in business, creativity, or life. Ask questions. Stay curious. Watch how they move through the world.
I’ve learned so much simply by being around people who inspired me to think bigger, take chances, and most importantly don’t get it right every time.
The path rarely appears all at once. It reveals itself as you go. The important thing is to start.
Alex’s LIFT Index Stage Is: Seeking (Hummingbird)
This is the stage where curiosity and possibility collide. You’re exploring new paths, seeking guidance, and learning what excites you. It’s about noticing that spark you can’t ignore, living in that joy, trusting your instincts, and taking the first intentional steps toward the life and impact you want to create. This is your foundation: the place to awaken your potential and set the tone for your next era
Women of Élanoura features women who are leading with purpose, and finding ways to LIFT other women as they go.
Find Alex’s work at alexcolestudio.com, on Instagram @alexcolestudio, and on Substack.
