Tile mosaics, back splashes, tables, mirrors, painting, abstract
. Bracken Rourke has a history with art in his family.
J. Bracken Rourke was born in Moorhead MN, and grew up in the Fargo ND, and rural Detroit Lakes MN area. He grew up surrounded by artwork, the smell of oil paint and the aroma of kiln firings. It cemented an early foundation of art especially clay, that would be invaluable later in life when he decided this would become his full time vocation. After graduating from Concordia College in 1989 with a Political Science degree, and Psych-History emphasis, he did not immediately pursue a career in this field. Knowing that his goal was to start a business and be his own “boss” someday, was a long term desire.
Everything came together on July 24, 2000 the first baby steps of the eventual forming of his business Cotton Lake Tile. Starting out with clay, a few glazes, and a tricky wood fired kiln, Bracken began working out of a 12x20 studio at the family lake place. His thought was if there was any chance to make this full time, concentrating on tile would be the focus.
Beginning with framed decorative tile and working with shops and galleries got things off the ground. A glazing style that had a distinct style of abstract was developed. This inevitably led customers to have him make tile for indoor/outdoor applications. Then also the business branched out to include installation of my tile as well as any that customers wanted for home application, or commercially oriented.
Now 19 years later Cotton Lake tile based out of North Fargo, has branched out into a variety of applications. These include counter tops, back splashes, tables, mirrors, and mosaic decorative work in homes and businesses. Bracken says this is what he enjoys most, the creative aspect. Doing a lot of tile installs of all kinds has been a bigger part of the business. Always with an artist’s flair.
A lot of his tile artwork and painting that he creates is inspired on or some aspect of the surroundings. Extensive travel around the states and Western Europe gives him endless inspiration. The south west region of America particularly New Mexico, has special significance. Bracken’s father spent part of his time in the Air force there, then earned his M.F.A. from Highlands University in Las Vegas NM.
He has returned to the state many times over the years since those early days. It just has a sense of a second home, a familiarity that’s grown over the decades.
Since the inception of Cotton Lake Tile, his tile art has been entered in 11 solo exhibitions, 43, group exhibitions, as well as countless art fairs and shows around the country. Bracken has been recognized for 3 first place, 2 second place, 2 honorable mention, 2 purchase, and 2 best of show awards to date, is quite an honor. Previously a segment for HGTV’s that’s clever was filmed in his studio. He’s currently a member of the F.M.V.A., Nelson County Arts Council, Minnesota Tile Club, Gallery 4 and the Rourke Museum.
Bracken’s latest foray in the creative art world is painting. As a child his father the late Orland J. Rourke would encourage him to paint with him as well as hand building with clay. Just a few years ago, his painting re-emerged. Finding a more personal creativeness when taking a blank canvas and turning into abstract or realism is good for his soul. To be able to create for the enjoyment of others and love it at the same time, is truly living the “dream”.
Learn more about him at: www.CottonLakeTile.com.
J. Bracken Rourke was born in Moorhead MN, and grew up in the Fargo ND, and rural Detroit Lakes MN area. He grew up surrounded by artwork, the smell of oil paint and the aroma of kiln firings. It cemented an early foundation of art especially clay, that would be invaluable later in life when he decided this would become his full time vocation. After graduating from Concordia College in 1989 with a Political Science degree, and Psych-History emphasis, he did not immediately pursue a career in this field. Knowing that his goal was to start a business and be his own “boss” someday, was a long term desire.
Everything came together on July 24, 2000 the first baby steps of the eventual forming of his business Cotton Lake Tile. Starting out with clay, a few glazes, and a tricky wood fired kiln, Bracken began working out of a 12x20 studio at the family lake place. His thought was if there was any chance to make this full time, concentrating on tile would be the focus.
Beginning with framed decorative tile and working with shops and galleries got things off the ground. A glazing style that had a distinct style of abstract was developed. This inevitably led customers to have him make tile for indoor/outdoor applications. Then also the business branched out to include installation of my tile as well as any that customers wanted for home application, or commercially oriented.
Now 19 years later Cotton Lake tile based out of North Fargo, has branched out into a variety of applications. These include counter tops, back splashes, tables, mirrors, and mosaic decorative work in homes and businesses. Bracken says this is what he enjoys most, the creative aspect. Doing a lot of tile installs of all kinds has been a bigger part of the business. Always with an artist’s flair.
A lot of his tile artwork and painting that he creates is inspired on or some aspect of the surroundings. Extensive travel around the states and Western Europe gives him endless inspiration. The south west region of America particularly New Mexico, has special significance. Bracken’s father spent part of his time in the Air force there, then earned his M.F.A. from Highlands University in Las Vegas NM.
He has returned to the state many times over the years since those early days. It just has a sense of a second home, a familiarity that’s grown over the decades.
Since the inception of Cotton Lake Tile, his tile art has been entered in 11 solo exhibitions, 43, group exhibitions, as well as countless art fairs and shows around the country. Bracken has been recognized for 3 first place, 2 second place, 2 honorable mention, 2 purchase, and 2 best of show awards to date, is quite an honor. Previously a segment for HGTV’s that’s clever was filmed in his studio. He’s currently a member of the F.M.V.A., Nelson County Arts Council, Minnesota Tile Club, Gallery 4 and the Rourke Museum.
Bracken’s latest foray in the creative art world is painting. As a child his father the late Orland J. Rourke would encourage him to paint with him as well as hand building with clay. Just a few years ago, his painting re-emerged. Finding a more personal creativeness when taking a blank canvas and turning into abstract or realism is good for his soul. To be able to create for the enjoyment of others and love it at the same time, is truly living the “dream”.
Learn more about him at: www.CottonLakeTile.com.
