Bits and pieces of antique chrome from automobiles, or toys from her childhood are a part of many of the individual pieces. Anything retro grabs her attention.

"I love that stuff," she declares.

She said that love comes from being in the "tail end Baby Boomer/beginning Generation X" age range.

One piece is a collection of some of her favorite childhood toys inside a gum ball machine — dubbed "Innocence." It represents the loss of childhood innocence, she said, remembering her own youth.

Another piece representing her childhood is "Bedtime Stories," a piece incorporating a train set. Having grown up in Arkadelphia, she recalls hearing the train going through town every night.

"And it seemed so peaceful," she said. "I love the sounds of a train."

The very thought is calming and brings a sense of safety, often lost in childhood, she said.

The former graphic artist had been painting for many years on the side. As her artwork began to sell, she debated leaving the 9 to 5 corporate world and dreamed of spending her days in a studio. While she loved her co-workers, "the corporate world is so not me," she said, shaking her head.

In 1997, she finally walked out of the office and into the studio full time. She struggled for a couple of years, she said, "But it just exploded after that."

She chuckles that she has been "feeding" herself ever since.

"I can't imagine doing anything else — ever," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

However, in her own words, "It's like a sickness." Once she starts painting, there's no stopping her. Well, until absolute exhaustion strikes, and she is forced to take a month off to rest.

Her obsessive work habits are even hard for her to understand.

"It's amazing how I can't stop," she said. "Some people spend six months on one painting.

"I can have 75 paintings done easily in six months."

Her father is an illustrator, and her great grandmother was an artist. So, art "kind of runs in the family," she said.

Cox began art lessons at the age of 10, and went on to earn a bachelor of fine arts from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.

She has long admired and followed the work of trendsetter artists from the 1950s, such as Jackson Pollack and Pablo Picasso — artists who began the abstract art movement.

"I just think they opened so many doors," Cox explained. "They were not afraid to step outside the box.

"They just did what they wanted to do. And I really respect that.... It makes life more interesting."

Cox, along with several other artists, work out of the Argenta Studios on the second floor of the First Presbyterian Church at 4th and Maple Streets in the Argenta Historic District.

She has sold pieces both nationally and internationally, with work in galleries across the country.

Although her work is generally recognized by circles incorporated into her pieces, "Age of Wonder" is different in that circles are not used.

At the Red Door Gallery in North Little Rock, where several pieces of Cox's artwork hang, co-manager Kelly Strother said people "are fascinated by her work and what is really unique to her... that trademark circle that tends to draw people in."

Strother and her co-manager Kira Boedeker both agreed that Cox shows a good level of confidence in the work she produces. She makes no apologies for her work.

"We like that," said co-owner Melody Stanley.

A glance at her artist statement reveals why exhaustion befalls the enthusiastic 40-something artist from time to time.

"I constantly feel the drive to create something that no one has ever seen before and educate myself daily with new techniques and ideas," she writes. "I feel like I have a hunger that cannot be fulfilled and a thirst that cannot be quenched. I cannot seem to educate myself enough."

Not a sticker for tradition, instead of the typical art show, "Age of Wonders" will be displayed in her working studio, a setting she says is more personal.

While "Age of Wonder" is a limited show through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cox says anyone interested in viewing the exhibit can call her at 786-1636 to arrange a special viewing.

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