cooper

karen cooper paintings .com

2011-08-01T05:39:00.013-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa.

A change of address has been implemented! Would you please read here instead?

http://karencooperpaintings.com/blog

Yup, we've modified my address! When you get there, on the left menu bar (table of contents) is a little orange box with white lines through it. Don't ask me how or why, but that's called RSS feed. If you click on that, it will take you to a form where you can fill out the required info, and THEN my blog articles will come directly to your email, at your request. Saves a lot of mouse clicking, eh?!

Thanks!

KCooper (painting, painting)

Counting Waves, an acrylic painting on a perfect

little 12 x 12 inch canvas

available (so far) in my website portfolio

(feel free to click on the red text, which will take you there)

2011-04-21T06:21:00.018-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa.

I was going to stop at #2. Really.

And then, here's what happened: I had two paintings to deliver. We agreed to meet halfway, so neither of us would have too long of a drive. So, we met and were sitting at Panera, having a cup of coffee, talking about the fund raiser for the Linn Creek Arts Festival (Marshalltown, Iowa) which the two paintings will hopefully help with. After a good chat one of the committee members handed me my check for the paintings, and I prepared to leave. She stopped me with "oh, wait, I have to do a write-up for our newsletter, and I want to make sure I've got all the details correct." I'd already given the committee a copy of my artist statement and info about the paintings.

What she said next made me realize #3 had to be written. Here we go. She said "I know a little bit about art, but sometimes it can get confusing. these are real paintings, right? With all the things people to to paintings lately, sometimes it's hard to tell". Oh dear. So you see? I have to write this, take #3.

And then I remembered my recent visit with the computer tech. I'd taken the desk top beast in for help. We talked about a part that had three initials on the front and six or seven on the back of it's name. All Greek to me. I am not a computer tech, and I don't know their language. Every now and then, I try,but I'm pretty sure I'd have to spend a lot more time with it to get it. I am not a construction worker, and I don't know their industry lingo,either. Nor am I a doctor, and maybe that's why we have web md, the lay persons guide to should-I-go-see-my-doctor? We are artists and in our conversation cache are words like copies, reproductions, limited edition reproductions, giclees, enhanced giclees...

I wondered: if computer tech talk is Greek to me, then are limited edition reproductions and giclees just like Greek to the bus drivers of the world? The physical therapists? The gourmet chefs?

I went to an alternate website and asked people this: "I am working on a project and need opinions from normal people (not artists!) Do the words reproductions, prints, giclees and paintings all mean the same thing to you? Or are they separate and distinct? Couldn't care less?! :) No right or wrong answers, but I do need real people insight..."

Was this a numerically constructed and officially supervised survey? NO. It was a what-do-you-think inquiry. Nothing hermetically sealed in a mayonnaise jar on Funk and Wagnells's back porch.

Interestingly, most of the responders were teachers, there was a mental health professional, an arts center staff member (theatre), a CPA, a gallery owner, and of course, artists. I didn't consider the gallery owner's personal views, because she is also an artist, but speaking for her clients she said "But in the industry it does make a huge difference how you list reproduced products", which I think echos the thoughts of an earlier commenter that educating patrons is important.

I'll list a few responses and please note that they are unedited ( and I mean that!) quotes:

1. I'm totally uneducated in art lingo, but as a normal consumer, to me painting means an original, prints and reproductions are copies, and a giclee means something highbrow enough that I probably couldn't afford it."

2. "I don't know about the "normal" part, and although I would love to be an artist, I am not, but here's my opinion on this. To me, the word reproduction or print, means "cheap", and painting means a one of a kind original that I would buy. Giclee? After googling it and finding out it's and inkjet print, I was disappointed. The name sounds much fancier thant that :)"

3. "Reproductions, prints and paintings all have a distinctive different meaning in my mind, not sure if they're the right meanings, but...I've never heard of giclees, but I love learning new words so I'll look it up and add it to my vocabulary!"

I was pleased to hear that these three commentors, as well as most of the rest, knew there was a difference between reproductions or copies, and paintings, and understood them somewhat. The word giclee, however, was a problem.

Early commentors to this discussion (take #1, and #2) mentioned that it was nice to have a reminder of an artist, and a reproduction can do that. It makes me think of VanGogh posters of Starry Night in the art center gift shop. Everybody knows they are copies, but they are reminders of time spent at the gallery viewing paintings. They often have a title and artist name listed in text, down at the bottom in the margin. We can all mentally image that, right? No doubt of what their purpose is. Does that bring us to the giclee?

Wait: maybe we need the dictionary:
1. Giclee
A giclee (zhee-CLAY) is an individually produced, high-resolution, high-fidelity reproduction done on a special large format printer. Giclees are produced from digital scans of existing artwork, or a digital file.

Let's ask questions about the giclee--it seems to require it :) What is the purpose of the giclee? I've heard artists say patrons can't afford an original painting but they want a reminder. The poster style reproduction would cover that, right? So why the giclee? If your patrons just want a reminder of your painting, why go the extra bucks for a giclee? We've agreed a giclee costs quite a bit more than a poster, right? Still better yet,why computer print a painting on a piece of canvas, if we are just after a reminder of the original painting? And the enhanced giclee--why would we swipe a loaded varnish brush over the surface of a giclee, or dab on on a few spots of real paint , if we just want a reminder of the artist's painting?

To the art patrons of the world, I hope you ask questions. Many a teacher has told us the only dumb question is the one that goes unasked. So ask away. Sometimes what's put in front of you can be confusing.

Later, Cooper

Forced To Go The Extra Mile. And Three Reasons Why It's Good For You.

2011-03-29T05:52:00.016-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa.

Several years back, I determined I could/would be a runner. Not marathons, nope, nothing like that. But I do try to go a couple of miles on three or four mornings of each week. Just the other week, Jefferson got yet another bunch of snow. Thankfully, it's March, and considering the city truck/plows got to it right away, the streets dried quickly. Free and clear of snow. Good for the morning run.

I headed out on my normal route, which takes me to the bike trail on the east side of town, my usual halfway point. But wait, what's up with that? The bike trail; snow, ice, and melted/refrozen slush ruts. Everything a person trying to move faster than a crawl DOESN'T want. But here I am at the edge of town. Either I turn back and retrace my steps (how boring is that?) or I continue on. There's a black top road just ahead, and it won't be that much further. And besides, it's good for me, right?

Awesome. Going the extra mile. There's a saying "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy", right? And then there's another "a job worth doing, is a job worth doing well". Now surely there's a lot of maneuvering room in between those two thoughts, but this morning I'm going to promote the concept that sometimes we have to lean harder one way, than the other. The middle of the road is not always the best place to be. The stack of "to do" has surpassed my comfort zone. I can see the extra mile in front of me. But I know the benefits:

1. Makes you work harder

2. It gets you closer to your goal

3. Feelings of a job well done, to the max

See you on the other side. Believe it or not, the warm up is varnishing a guitar, just recently painted, so it can get to the mail. Aah. Life at the Cooper studio. Never a dull moment.

Later, Cooper

Selection And Assumptions

2011-03-29T05:10:00.011-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa, where it is both a stunning and beautiful day. Ahhhh, spring. And I even have a spring painting for you here, in a minute.

First we need to talk about selections. Or assumptions about selections. Or something like that. -

After the youngest Cooper had been away at college long enough to get a firm grip on the realities of laundry, we ended up bequeathed with some of his new "go-to-college"towels. And they were the nicest ones of the bunch, thick and cushy and the epitome of absorbent. Why did we get them? He didn't like them because they took too long in the dryer. Hunh.

Yes, you are at an artist's painting blog and that bit of a story does have relevance. Like this: as artists we are constantly the recipients of well meaning advice. If we paint landscapes, then someone tells us we should be painting abstracts. If we paint abstracts, they tell us we should be painting landscapes. If we paint figures, they tell us we should be painting anything but! :)

We assimilate all that good advice and begin to assume(as in making an assumption) that we know, without a doubt, what it is that art patrons of the world will want to select, when they are out looking for a painting. We let our artistic vision take a road trip down to "I've-been-persuaded-land". Maybe it's just a day trip, and not too much harm done. But what if it turns out to be a major journey and one you shouldn't have let yourself get talked into?

Because in reality, not everybody chooses for the same reason. Are we better off trying to paint what we assume will please everyone, or painting what's right and then working to connect with the people who see things the way we do?

We could say "a rose by any other name is just as sweet" or "one man's trash is another man's treasure" or "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". We could even say "thick and cushy versus quick through the dryer".

It's not a matter of matching your painting to the person; it's a matter of finding the people who match your painting.

Thanks for stopping by.

Later, Cooper

Yup, you are right, I did promise a spring painting:

Ready For Spring, and acrylic painting on a nice little 12 inch canvas, and of course, available in my website portfolio. Click on the red text to get a better look!

Sweating It

2011-01-14T09:19:00.011-08:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa. Please bear in mind that it's winter in Jefferson this morning. For all you fair weather readers, that means that at 9:27AM it was a snow-crunchy 14 degrees. So why you ask, are we talking about sweating it?

I believe I've mentioned in the past that I try to run (sort of) at least three times a week. Is it my personality type?--who know, but I can not handle even the thought of running (sort of) indoors. Treadmill, forget it. I prefer to go first thing in the morning when I'm not totally awake. With a sleep-fog hanging on, running seems a little less crazy. BUT! Even I have to draw the line somewhere, and at 6:30AM, Jefferson was in the balmy single digits range on the sad old thermometer.

So 9:30AM rolls around, the thermometer shows me 14 degrees, and I determined I could possibly survive it. I did. But here's the funny thing--sweating it! Yup, who'd of thought at 14 degrees with two tee shirts and a hoodie as the layers, I could possibly warm up that much?

Now I suppose you want to hear how this could all possibly relate to painting, right? But of course it does. Think about the commonalities here. It seems pretty logical to me. Look:

1. A schedule. Three times a week, works okay for my "running (ha) career" but I try to paint five days a week. And a schedule is worthless if you don't keep it. Paint on a schedule.

2. Persistence. My husband says mine comes more under the heading of stubbornness. Sometimes the odds seem to be against you. The air temperature for running is abysmal/you painted your best painting ever and it still got juried out, so why keep trying? And here we should enter in my favorite Gretsky quote, "you miss every shot you don't take". Paint with persistence.

3. Prepare to the best of your ability. So, the morning run part of that: is it a two tee-shirt kind of day or a three? Pretty simple preparedness there. But the painting side of the equation is harder. Study, study, study. Either way, some times you have to sweat it. Last night was the first night of this semester's life drawing group on campus at ISU (Iowa State University) Do you get to see the results of my sweating? No. If the garbage guys unroll the wad of paper, they might get to. But revert back to item #2. We meet again next Thursday and I'll be there. Surely it will go better. You can't prosper you art just be wanting. Prepare for it. Study.

And that brings us to:

4. Be an optimist. You can do it. It's possible. Where there's life, there's hope, right? If you can move your feet, you can run. If you can pick up a paint brush, you can paint. True, the quality of your endeavors will depend pretty heavily on how you deal with #1-3, but what's stopping you? Be an optimist.

Oh wait, this is beginning to sound like my last blog post , regarding "cup half full". Hmm, it must be the weather...time to go gain a little sweat equity at the easel. Thanks for stopping by.

Later, Cooper

Oh, and you should click on the red text up there (post) to see my last blog writing over at my website, and the cool new painting that goes with :) The link will take you right there, I promise!

2010-12-06T15:22:00.006-08:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa. We will discuss The Look today. I'm sorry, but you know it had to happen. And it's not really my fault. We are blaming it on ArtCalendarMagazine, even though those people put out a wonderful publication, which no artist should be without.

I finally got started reading my online copy of ArtCalendarMagazine this morning. Next up was the article about a figurative painter from LosAngeles, Kent Williams. The heading described Mr. Williams as a consummate draftsman and rigorous observer. Rigorous observer. Aaargh. The Look.

Rigorous observer. So easily written. Deceptively easily written. Take a moment and peer into the meaning of those two words, bearing in mind that Mr. Williams is known as a figurative painter.

You don't get it? You must be focusing on landscapes or still lifes.

At a recent event, I was across the room from a friend who was in the motion of painting a bunch of flowers. She was doing "the squint", you know, blurring out the unimportant, concentrating on finding what matters for the painting. Of course, she deserved a bit of teasing, due to the interesting countenance it gave her. But what's a painter to do? We have to squint.

However, you need to be aware, "the squint" is only part of The Look. Back up to paragraph #2 where we unleashed the phrase "rigorous observer". Followed closely by figurative painter. Granted, if that figure you are painting is a model in your studio, they possibly understand the squint. The Look. But some of us are trapped in the intrigue of painting the folks out on the sidewalks of our lives. Those poor folks don't know we are just being rigorous observers. They see someone do "the squint" in their direction, and they begin to worry. A complete stranger, doing "the squint", and following up with a camera--whoa--we have to wonder if sirens and arrest are imminent.

Yes. You are correct. I do exaggerate. But it's a constant battle of artist-desire to capture everyday people doing their everyday thing on canvas, versus artist trying not to annoy those everyday people doing their everyday thing.

So, I hereby promise to try and not be too rude with my rigorous observing. And if you aren't an artist, at least now you know the reason behind "the squint" --- The Look, and you don't have to go running for cover. And if it happens to you, questions or a quick peek at the sketch book are all cool, be my guest.

Thanks for stopping by!

Later, Cooper

Okay, one more little bit. I have to show you this painting again. I saw these kids at ArnoldsPark, in the town by the same name, next door to Okoboji, Iowa. Surely you understand the need to paint them? When photos are involved, more than one is always better. So my camera and I stood fence-side by the "Scrambler", and every time their little car came around, I clicked. By photo #6, the boy in the middle was beginning to show signs of "who are you, and why are you taking our picture?" By photo #7 he was beginning to express his strong desire to have his daddy come talk to me. At that point I decided to let them finish their ride unencumbered by artistic intervention. But it was worth it, right? :)

Slide On Over, acrylic painting on canvas, measuring 30 x 30 inches, and yes, in my portfolio

(click on the red text) as well.

No. More. Malls.

2010-11-30T10:53:00.005-08:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa. So I just gave this blog post a title, and now I'm wondering if it's politically incorrect. OhWell. My thoughts and they are true.

Have I mentioned my husband and I are not shoppers? Last week as more and more stores advertised "open on Thanksgiving" we cringed. Cringed for the people in retail who were required to spend their holiday as NOholiday. Cringed bigtime for the shopaholics who spent their holiday at the mall. What kind of a holiday was that, and just how much thanks did they give, anyway?

And may I rant on just a little more? A local DesMoines (Iowa) television station gave air time to the people who camped outside a shopping mall just so they could be one of the first of the 37 thousand in the door. Don't understand. Not going to go there. And may I suggest an alternative? Didn't see that one coming, eh?

This weekend, December 4th and 5th, the UniversityOfIowa fine arts council sponsors an event at the Iowa Memorial Union in IowaCity, Iowa, called Thieves Art Market. We don't know where the name came from, but I can promise you it's all on-the-up-and-up.

If you crave:

>camping out on frozen concrete so you might be the first one in the door

>stampeding crowds fighting over who gets one of 3 come-on sale items

>non-existent sales staff

>or if you luck out and find one---sales staff really not interested in helping you, and probably don't know how even if they are

>mauled over merchandise

>surely by now you get the idea?

IF you crave any of the above, then you won't like Thieves Art Market. So don't come.

Later, Cooper

Oh, maybe I should mention: if you love a laid back atmosphere, where you can look at unique interesting things, and have the people who created them tell you why, then you are a Thieves Art Market kind of person, and you should come. 10AM to 5PM each day. I have a painting I'd love to show you. :)

The Geometry Of Art Marketing

2010-09-29T14:08:00.003-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper Studio, Jefferson, Iowa, where I am pondering that old geometry rule about the shortest distance between two points being a straight line. And no, we are not discussing paint-on-canvas kinds of lines today, we are talking about conceptual lines (whew, lift your feet, it's getting deep) and thoughts of art marketing.

Conceptual lines. And that's where the problem begins. Artists are by nature visual people, right? We like real lines. Lines we can see. What are we supposed to do with a conceptual line that's just "out there". We're supposed to be able to see it's reality, even though it's not even there. Dios mio.

Are you ready for my point of contention? I don't think conceptual lines behave well in the geometry classroom. I think conceptual lines ignore the fact that they are supposed to go straight. At least when we are talking about the conceptual lines in art marketing.

Let me share two links to excellent posts that got me started on thinking these deviant thoughts.The first, written by Lori Woodword, is titled The Future Of Art Marketing. http://canvoo.com/blog/23251/the-future-of-art-marketing In the article Lori discusses the future need for galleries representing artists versus artists representing themselves online.

Then you need to go read Olivia Alexander's thought provoking post at http://oliviaalexander.com/blog/23405/challenges-of-the-present-day-artist Olivia mentions her own art marketing is now on a 3 to 1 ratio with painting. Yup folks, that's 3 for the marketing, 1 for the painting. AND don't pretend that's not your story as well. I spent the entire day yesterday "marketing" my art at the Octagon (Ames, Iowa) Art Festival. One way or the other art marketing soaks up an amazing amount of hours.

Okay, now we need to get back to the geometry of this whole mess. I've plotted the two points: PointA (The Future Of Art Marketing) and PointB (Challenges Of The Present Day Artist) Olivia talked about taking an internet marketing "fast" while Lori wrote about limited gallery role partnered with go-it-on-your-own marketing. Surely those are the extremes, the opposite points, right? Quick! Draw a straight line between those two points! Right---it aint gonna happen. I think reality says that if you made that conceptual art marketing line into a visual one, you would see that it hooks and curls and detours all over the place. Quite possibly there are even some road blocks and maybe even a few dead end signs on that conceptual line-turned visual.

So, you are an artist. Where do you belong on that line? Are you on the hook part where you love meeting and greeting patrons and telling them about your art? Maybe you don't need galleries so much. Are you the artist who anguishes over not getting enough studio time? Maybe you are supposed to be hanging out on that conceptual line curl where galleries are oh-so-important. Maybe you are the artist who still has to try a little of both the conceptual line curls and hooks until one of them hits a road block sign, and sends you the other direction. Not a pretty thought, is it, that road block?

Which brings us full circle to my parting shot. (Don't you love how we just came "full circle" in a geometry discussion of two points and a not-so-straight line?!) IF we were all alike, we would paint exactly the same paintings, and we could all market them in exactly the same way. Fact of the matter is, we aren't, we won't, and we can't. Just like painting, we need to find our style, our niche. Find out what works for this ONE artist.

Somewhere on that not-so-straight conceptual line of art marketing, somewhere in between internet fasting and full bore self marketing, is the place that likely has your name on it. How do you find it? It's just like developing your painting style---you have to study, practice, experiment. Oh, and you have to expect a few road blocks and dead end signs---hopefully not too many. Good luck in your search.

Later, Cooper

Wannabees

2010-07-13T07:12:00.003-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa on a gorgeous Tuesday, July 13th.

I just read the latest "painter's keys" newsletter from Robert Genn. Most of it was about the age old problem of knowing when it's time to stop on a painting, how to avoid working a painting to death, literally and figuratively :)

The article included a statement that really stopped me:

"I find our world to be loaded and cocked with creator wannabees. We artists represent the last bastion of the hand of man."

I would love to sit down and have a cup of coffee and converse with Mr Genn about his thoughts given there. To me, the contrast between the wannabees and the creatives is especially stark.

I just returned home from KraslArtFair, St Joseph, Michigan. (yes, it's a wonderful event) Lately, at art fairs, I've noticed my work attracting more young people---maybe it's what I'm painting, or the way I'm painting, or is it the "creator wannabee" factor? Quite possibly it's the compilation of all three. Is it the next generation looking ahead and contrasting automated versus creative? I try to always encourage: practice, practice, practice, and never stop with the studying. I balance it with: it's hard work and you have to have the determination to persevere. And as they walk away romancing the life of an artist, I wonder which side of that contrast line between wannabees and creatives they will end up on?

Ok, so we'll rename today "philosophical Tuesday" :) but now it's time to go paint. Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely day.

Later, Cooper

2010-07-08T06:40:00.004-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, on a SUNNY beautiful day, in Jefferson, Iowa. There's probably minimal painting happening in the studio today, as it's time to pack again. This weekend I am showing my paintings at KraslArtFairOnTheBluff, in StJoseph, Michigan. If you feel the need to give yourself a treat, go there---there are not many spots on the map as beautiful and relaxing as the park overlooking LakeMichigan. There is a perfect hotel, The Boulevard Inn, right next to the park. I have plans for someday when there is a blizzard heading east from Nebraska: I will grab my husband, load us into the car, drive to that hotel (hopefully staying ahead of the storm) move into an upper floor room, and watch the storm come across the lake. I think it will be an exceptional sight. :)

Anyway, maps. When I travel to art fairs, I am pretty picky about maps. I learned quite a while ago that saving paper does not rate, when compared to having mapquest directions to my location printed off in LARGE ENOUGH TYPE to read sans glasses. Tollway traffic through Chicago does not approve of people stopping to read the fine print on their maps.

And then, maps of the art fair sort. Last summer there came an aha! moment. Prior, setting up my display at an art fair was a long drawn out process---which painting should hang where, what painting would fit into that long skinny space, which one would fit into that wide space, ooops, we didn't leave enough room for that one, better scoot it over 4 inches---you get the picture. The solution was so simple, I can't quite believe it took me years (literally) to see it.

I use a propanel display system as my exhibit walls at art fairs. I "hinged' together pieces of foam core that simulate the dimensions of my display system. Using the same scale, I print images of my paintings that are making the trip to the art fair. Do you know how much easier it is when, glass of iced tea in hand, I can sit at the kitchen counter and plan my exhibit? If I think "Smells Like Summer" looks better next to "Ped Mall DogWalk", but then change my mind and think I need to try "Elementary School Readers" all I have to do is move a couple little squares of paper. Surely I don't have to tell you how much easier THAT is than moving the actual paintings? And getting it right, when you know you've got people coming to see in just an hour or so?

Prior to the great aha moment that lead to the mapping system, I used to plan for a minimum of two hours to get everything organized for an exhibit. May I brag a little?---I now allow 40 minutes. For those of you who have not set up an art fair exhibit, I know, I know, that's only an hour and ten minutes difference. But. On the morning of an art fair, it's a BIG difference. May I share just a little more insight about that?

If I had a roadie who set it all up for me, so that I could waltz in last minute, it would be different, but usually, I am on my own, doing it all myself. People come to art fairs hoping for an enjoyable outing. If I am out of sorts due to a hectic setup, helping those people enjoy their outing is a dim possibility. By removing the chance of "hectic" from the setup routine, it gets my day off to a good start, where I can share with visitors about my paintings, and we can all enjoy the day.

The 49th Annual Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff happens on July 10th, 10-6, and July 11th, 10-5. If you want to see the booth map in action, you'll have to stop by exhibit #164 about 7am on July 10th. The good folks of Krasl, and Port 412 are serving breakfast for the artists and I plan to hang paintings before dining! :)

Oh, and the varnish is almost dry on this new painting, so it will be making the trip to Michigan as well:

Beach Chair Occupied, an acrylic painting on a perfect little 20 x 20 inch canvas. I promise to get it into my portfolio very soon!

Later, Cooper

How About Painting?

2010-06-19T05:56:00.004-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa, on a fine June Saturday morning.

I am off my regular running schedule this week---surely I can blame it on the midnight ride home from Chicagoland (Hinsdale Art Festival) last Sunday. I try to run M-W-F, but when the car parks in the garage post 1am on Sunday, you KNOW how Monday morning feels. So this week is a T-T-S kind of week. And because I'm already going about it weirdly, it seemed only logical to make the Saturday morning portion of that running program a little different as well. I added some distance. I didn't say lots, I said some. And the last portion of it was up what the town of Jefferson claims as a hill. (Jefferson doesn't know hills very well) Anyway, I felt the difference. My feet were just barely coming up off the street, I'm pretty sure. Is it possible to run flat? I don't think my side profile was very attractive, and definitely it was not good form. (never is) But I pushed, and I made it back into the driveway. The garage was once again a welcome sight.

A week ago, for some odd and unknown reason, I went some extra distance on Monday. Do my feet have built in odometers?---somehow they knew because Wednesday and Friday's normal distance was a breeze. It causes me to ask theis question: If you push extra hard on one day, does the normal routine seem easier, IS it easier, on subsequent days? And does it apply to more than just running? How about painting?

If I put an oversized canvas up on the easel, and start adding paint, does that 20 inch canvas seem easier when I get back to it? If I do a commissioned painting for someone, and then get back to painting whatever amuses me, is it easier?

What about signing up for a new class? I did that, and this past Tuesday was the first day. About halfway through, I realized I was thinking of the regular figure drawing group at Ames (Iowa State University), and even the previous one up at Okoboji (Pearson Lakes Art Center). It would have felt like old-home-week to be back in either of those groups rather than working to adjust to all that was new and different at the DesMoines Art Center class.

So, how about painting? Is it good to push for some extra distance? I think I just answered my own question. And it's affirmative. Thanks for stopping by.

And if anyone is wondering, I'm working on a cool painting of two people with their bikes by the lake. Hopefully a posted image is in our near future.

Later, Cooper

"Choosy Mothers Chose Jif", And Who Makes Authority?

2010-04-29T15:43:00.005-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa, on a fine Thursday, April 29th.

Today we are going to talk about authority. More specifically, we'll talk about what makes it. Yesterday's conversation started with toast, of the burnt variety, someone wasn't paying attention to the details. Peanut butter toast is the headliner today, possibly because I just consumed a piece. While my slice of bread was languishing between the heater coils of my counter top machinery I happened to read the label of the peanut butter jar. Immediately my mind brought forth their advertising slogan, "Choosy Mothers Choose Jif". (to give equal time, do I need to mention that "Skippy is the peanutiest"?) What makes either of them the peanut butter authority?

As you can clearly see that brings us to our subject of the day! We've got several varieties:

1. authority by power: bigger, tougher, meaner, I can tell you what to do, and enforce that you believe me
2. authority by purchase: lots of money, can buy the opinion, and everybody believes it because there's lots of money involved (forgive me for typing this word on my blogspace, but think "lobbyist")
3. authority by talent/skill: you are so blooming good at what you do, that no one wants to even contest that you are not the authoratative expert
4. authority by volume: the majority rules, in bad form it could be the lynch mob, in positive form we call it the common good
5. authority by election: everybody loves you and they want you to have it
6. authority by knowledge: know it all, way more than you, I can belittle you about your lack of knowledge while I overwhelm you with the mass of mine
7. authority by experience: you've seen it all and done it all, and everyone else wants to take the short cut, so they ask you

When we look at 2 + 2 = 4, most of us will agree, the math teacher can be an authority. Is it one of the few places in the world where authority is based on fact rather than opinion? If you put two apples with two apples, you really do end up with four apples. In contrast, when we've got a painting hanging in a prestigous place, and the critic lauds it as the best ever, and calls the creator "the next big thing" don't you just want to ask "who made you the authority, Mr. Critic?" [Robert Genn's newsletter from yesterday was about "the next big thing" and you should go read it.] Is it really the best painting ever? Why doesn't anyone holler out "prove it!"?

A little time spent in blog-land can yield up quite a few misappointed authorities. Not so long ago, I read a fellow artist's post on the subject of "how to varnish a painting". I wondered where his authority came from. He obviously hadn't read the label on the back of a jar of Golden. (For you non-painters, Golden is a producer of quality art products, including varnish) Yet, if someone googled "how to varnish a painting", aforementioned fellow artist was going to be there, ready to tell you how to do it, and wrong. Whoa, am I calling myself the authority on truthful blog writing? This could really get sticky.

By now, I suppose a few of you are beginning to wonder if I grew up in the "challenge the authorities" 60's and 70's, and yes, yes I did. Let me quickly state that I firmly believe authority can be good, and we need the good kind. However! I think as artists, we need to constantly remind ourselves that authority is so often just an opinion. Be it the opinion bought with money, OR the opinion of someone with great talent and skills. So fellow artist, when the person in charge says "nope, we don't want your painting in our show", that means it's NOT time to heave that painting toward the nearest dumpster, rather it's time to go find a different authority. After all, it almost always is, just an opinion.

Later, Cooper

Let Me Explain

2010-02-26T07:51:00.005-08:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa. Hey, it's Friday. At least I think so.

As I checked blog comments, I noticed a slightly interesting something about the most recent post here. If you didn't patch together the post title and one of the internal links, well, then all was craziness.

Let me explain. The title was "Cooper Studio Newsletter Published (Yay!)" Down in the text was a link to said newsletter. I completely knew what I was doing. Many of you maybe did not. These things happen once in a while.

Let's put it in black and white, better yet, red. Cooper Studio Newsletter Published (Yay!)

Now, all you have to do is click on those red letters, and I promise you, you will get there. And a tip for the viewer unfamiliar with the format: at the bottom of the video screen is a "box" with four arrows. Clicking on that will give you a full screen view. Much more enjoyable, I think. Have fun!

Later, Cooper

Cooper Studio Newsletter Published (yay!)

2010-02-17T08:20:00.007-08:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, where as a general rule, we try to answer the everpressing question "why do artists paint the way they do?"

Today we are reverting to section A, qualifier 2, subparagraph 413 where is asked:

"What on earth is up with THAT artist?"

And here's the answer

And of course I aimed for slightly fun. After all, we are still having winter, and we need all the help we can get.

So the painting has a name: A Fine Sound (July 4th At The Park), an acrylic painting on a nice little 12 x 12 canvas. And yes, of course it's available in my portfolio. The "fine sound" mentioned is a vocal artist , Bonne Finken, whose band we saw at Arnolds Park (Iowa) last summer. Truely fine.

Back to the easel. Have a lovely day!

Later, Cooper

Me, Myself, and I

2010-02-04T11:29:00.003-08:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, where we often attempt to answer that everpressing question:

Why do artists paint the way they do?

Answer: Because left brained people drive us to borderline ludicrous-osity. Instead of painting, I have just spent the last 5 hours 32 minutes figuring out how to fill out AND WIN over somebody's idea of mandatory questionaire fun.

However, it's a well documented fact, that right brained people are incredibly stubborn, fueled by large quantities of perserverance and competitiveness. That means I won, and am now certified compliant to PCI-DSS.

If you are an artist who exhibits at summer art fairs and accepts credit cards, you'll need to certify as well. On my other website blog I've given a couple of tips to make it slightly easier.

Oh, but I can't make easier the part where they charge you $85 dollars. In fact that's probably already hit your account. That's how I first discovered the whole situation.

Later, Cooper

Crutch Alert

2010-01-07T06:02:00.003-08:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa. So we'll blame it on the weather. I haven't written at this blog since December 9th, and guess what? The weather is exactly the same, only more of it. My husband got a new snowblower for his Christmas present. What a stroke of genius that was!

But let's get back to the title subject. I have been reading a book chock full of thought provoking stuff: Conversation In Paint, by Charles Dunn. I wrote an article on my other blog about artist's crutches, and have been mentally adding to the list ever since.

Can I quote a whole paragraph? Here, try this one on for size:

"You don't have to draw well to produce pretty good art. The invention of the camera did away with the need for traditional academic drawing. Looking at the mature work of Klee, Miro, Pollack, and Chagall, I don't see much in the way of traditional academic drawing skills. Like many artists with the skills to work anywhere on the concept-related/image-related continuum, these artists deliberately chose to work at the simpler, concept-related end. If you don't have much confidence in your drawing skill, work closer to the concept-related end of the scale."

Wow! Crutch alert! Artists that can't draw? And why not? Are they taking the easy road? Are they lazy? Is drawing not important?

Oh this is definitely going to take further investigation. And while you're waiting, please note that everything in paragraph four is in quotation marks. That means I shared someone else's thoughts and words. I am not yet persuaded to be in agreement :) Stay tuned for possible answers to some of those questions up there in paragraph five!

Later, Cooper

The Benefits Of Working From Home

2009-12-09T07:02:00.007-08:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio in Jefferson, Iowa. Today, we are having a blizzard. Lovely. Maybe our recent move from Spencer, Iowa to Jefferson, Iowa was just not quite far enough south? :) The weather guy on the radio just said that if you are crazy enough to try to go anywhere, you will quite likely encounter 14 to 16 foot tall drifts across the highway. And they are talking US highway 30, which is a fairly major east/west travel route. As I said before, lovely!

But back to the title of this post, The Benefits Of Working From Home, my studio is warm, I have a good supply of paint, and I have a painting that needs to be done in time to deliver for Christmas. Oh, and did I mention that I can go there in my jammies? Perfect! Time to go grab a brush.

Later, Cooper

2009-11-02T10:09:00.002-08:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, where the question has been posed: What is art?

Is it easier to define what art ISN’T? Perhaps. Actually, probably.

1. Art isn’t the thing you hang on your wall to match your sofa.
2. Art isn’t the thing you hang on your wall because you know your friends will approve
of it, because they all have a copy hanging on their walls.
3. And on that note, art isn’t a copy or reproduction of an original piece of art.
4. Art isn’t something featuring the year’s top five “decorator colors”
5. Art isn’t something made because you think somebody will buy it.

Actually, this is one of those times when I wish I was one of those people who made a file of all the inspirational quotes from great artists of the past and what they’ve said art is. You know they knew because of what they left behind: ART

And THAT makes me think of the time I saw VanGogh’s Starry Night at the Art Institute in Chicago. The place was packed with other people all trying to see the paintings as well. You were supposed to be polite, look at the painting, and move on. Nope. I was rude and I stopped. For a long time I stopped, because the painting required me to look at it for a long time. Art, Starry Night, most definitely is. It makes your eyes not want to leave. It makes you not want to leave.

But realistically, it doesn’t have to be Starry Night, or Luncheon Of The Boating Party, or Young Girl Writing to be art. Feature this: even you or I can make something “art”. But it has to have at least a smidgeon of something that all three of those paintings I just mentioned have---it has to be INTERESTING.

Sure, maybe it matches your sofa and if it’s interesting then you can call it art. It makes your eyes want to look because it’s interesting, not because it matches your sofa.

And maybe it does have five of the year’s top decorator colors, but it’s so interesting that you want to look at it all the time. You walk out of your way to go see it, again, because it's so interesting. Yea! You get to call it art!

Sorry, I can’t stop without one more qualifier: to be interesting, it’s got to be real. And that’s two kinds of real to you. Real as in honest-created-from-the-heart-real. Something must inspire. Yup, that rules out #5 on the list. AND real as in original, not-a-copy, not-a-reproduction. A poster of Starry Night I can leave. Starry Night, the original made me want to stay. And look some more. Now that’s art.

Later, Cooper

Painting Wisdom

2009-10-26T14:56:00.005-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, on a semi-sunny day in Jefferson, Iowa. I suppose an official meteorologist would classify that as "partly sunny", eh? Either way, it seems to be a good day to share some painting wisdom with you. Especially as it's someone else's wisdom, and it just came to my inbox. How convenient!

First, we need to flash back to September, when I exhibited at the Octagon Art Fair, in Ames, Iowa. While at that event, I was one of the artist's interviewed for an online art mag called "Painter's Hub". Here is the link for the article, BUT before you go there, I get to put in my defense for the really nasty photo accompanying the article. It was one of those September days when the air was really cool and the sun was really strong, so logically you sit in the sun to stay warm, and put on the sunscreen and hat and glasses to avoid the UV overdose. Please, next time somebody warn me to take off the hat and glasses before the photo! Thanks :)

Later, Cooper
http://karencooperpaintings.com

Iowathermalflux

2009-10-01T16:01:00.003-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio. Did you see that title? I made that word up, at least I don't think it's a real word already.

But. Iowathermalflux. I'm using it as an excuse, and yet another answer to that burning question "what makes artists paint the way they do". Iowathermalflux. Break it down Delbert: Iowa -thermal (as in temperature) -flux (as in fluctuating) Other wise know as change of season. Temperatures falling in Iowa. Next up, autumn. Time to turn the furnace on maybe. Bring in those geraniums that you don't want to freeze out on the patio. It was all part of the buildup effect today and resulted in a new still life painting. What on earth will happen next? Who knows. But re: the still life painting-- a good time was had by all.

Window Ledge Still Life 10 1 09, an acrylic painting on paper, available in my portfolio.

Later, Cooper

Mapping The Exhibit

2009-09-25T05:25:00.004-07:00

Good morning,

Welcome to the Cooper studio.

Sometimes it takes a long time for the light bulb to turn on. I have been exhibiting at art fairs for 18 (?) years, and just now happened on a really great time saver. Let me share.

Being a 2D artist, painting, I am very determined to have a cohesive, well organized display. In the past, I would hang a couple of paintings, and then experiment to fill in around them. I could easily spend an hour moving paintings from one side of the exhibit to the other, before I was satisfied with the results.

The light bulb turned on (yea!) and now my average "hang" time is fifteen minutes. How, you say? A day or two prior to the event, while still at home, I make a map. How simple is that? All it takes is a sheet of white paper, in scale to my propanels, with correspondingly scaled images of the paintings I intend to display. Do you know how much easier it is to move paintings around when they are 3 x 3 INCHES and hung with double stick tape, than when they are 3 x 3 FEET and hung with metal hooks stuck into propanel fabric?

Once I get the "map" du jour completed to my satisfaction, I roll it up and stow it. Once at the exhibit, I set up the propanels, get the map out, and hang the paintings. Piece o'cake, right? Absolutely. Why-oh-why didn't I think of this sooner? But I've got it now, and it's a gem. Try it for yourself.

Later, Cooper

Artist Relocation

2009-09-21T17:36:00.004-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, in it's new location! Yup, we are painting in Jefferson, Iowa, now. Jefferson is a nice little central Iowa town, of about 5000 people, on US highway 30, just west of Ames, Iowa and Iowa State University. If you were born in Huskerland, that's not quite so relevant. Ha!

Regarding packing up a household with studio, and moving it, I have this advice to share: moving and child birth have something in common. There comes a certain age in a person's life when you just shouldn't do it anymore. I know we've reached it for the latter, and I'm beginning to wonder about the former! We have experience with moving the household---this has to be our slowest un-pack ever. In defense, I did leave a block of time open midsummer, which the housing market did not cooperate with. Rather we hit midAugust and September, when the schedule was packed to the gills. We'll survive, and I'm sure it will be much more interesting than if it had gone according to plan!

However. The studio is set up, and even though needing some new flooring, that's not stopping me from painting. I have a really fine painting coming along on the easel as we speak. And if you haven't been to my website lately, here's a painting that you might not have seen yet. It's currently hanging out at the Wine Bar Art Gallery in Arnolds Park, Iowa.

So, Which One Is Your Favorite? is an acrylic painting on a 40 x 40 inch canvas. A larger image can be found here.

Thanks for stopping by.

Later, Cooper

2009-07-31T06:10:00.002-07:00

Greetings,

What a beautiful morning in Spencer, Iowa! It was a little bit warm for the morning run, but then I was a little bit late. (two smacks to the snooze button) Oh well, the sweat has already dried :)

This morning I want to brag up my friend, Mary, and here's the link to show why! Wow!

http://www.christyawards.com/winners.html

I could not make that link go to her website, but go over to the sidebar of my links on this page, click on Mary Connealy, and you'll get there. And trust me, it's worth the trip.

Later, Cooper

2009-07-27T15:06:00.002-07:00

Greetings,

Here is where I am all week:

Pearson Lakes Art Center Workshop
Figurative and Perspective Drawing
Instructor: Dr. Danuta Zamojska Hutchins

And it could be good for the messy artist in me. Today learning exactness was emphasized, not because it's great, but because you can't be convincingly loose until AFTER you learn to be exactly correct. And if you are messy, it's hard to tell which you are :)

Later, Cooper

Stretch

2009-07-11T06:16:00.004-07:00

Good morning,

Welcome to the Cooper studio on play day (Saturday!) I want to talk about stretch, stretching and stretchers, today. Curious words, eh? Let me explain.

I am one of those artists who actually enjoys stretching their own canvases.

I had been ordering stretcher bars from the same company for a long time, whenever I needed new, I mindlessly went to their website and ordered. A year ago, something happened, and their quality slipped. But I needed some more and ordered again. A bigger slip. I called the company. They sent me a duplicate order with the promise that they would be better. They were, sort of.

But it was time to stretch out of the routine. I tried a new company. I just got a new order of stretchers from the fedex guy yesterday. Amazing. I think something that is functional, solid and well made can be called beautiful. These definitely fit the parameters.

My only question now is why did it take me so long to stretch from the routine of ordering from the same company? Does routine seem more logical in non-creative tasks? Ha! Are routine and non-creative tasks synonymous?

Later, Cooper

Oh, and if you like to stretch your canvases as well, the really nice ones came from Dick Blick.

Spencer, Iowa, Parks

2009-06-21T16:12:00.005-07:00

Greetings,

My goal here is to write about "what makes artists paint the way they do". Hopefully, I won't pick up a paint brush yet today. Let me explain.

Spencer, Iowa is a pretty darn great town to live in. Right at the top of the pretty darn great list is the wealth of city parks the town holds in it's proper.

A few years ago, the Spencer Park system, specifically "East Leach Park" gained a beautiful in-ground (concrete) skate park. Note the word "skate". That means the rules board bolted to the post says ONLY skate board or inline skates. No BMX bikes allowed. We've heard various reasons/excuses/rumors as to the logic of this ruling, trust me, they're all weak.

Today, my husband and I were on a bike ride through East Leach Park. We stopped to watch the kids at the skate park. There was one skate boarder present, there aren't many skate boarders in Spencer. Ironic, hm? Several people on bmx bikes are present, there always are. Out of the corner of my eye I see the car with the lights on top. People yell, "Cop"! One kid wasn't quick enough. It cost him $63 dollars. Yup, that's the price of a ticket for riding your bike in the park.

So a multi-thousand dollar park facility, restricted to the majority of the people wanting to use it. Just doesn't make sense, does it?

Sometimes don't you just want to take somebody by the head and give'em a good shake? And we are so glad I'd already decided not to pick up a paint brush yet today!

Later, Cooper

Omaha Summer Arts Festival

2009-06-15T05:30:00.004-07:00

Greetings,

The Omaha Summer Arts Festival is just around the corner. In fact, let me give you the dates:

Friday June 26th, 11am-8pm

Saturday June 27th, 11am-8pm

Sunday June 28th, 11am-5pm

And even more importantly, let me tell you where I'll be :)

I am artist/exhibitor #82, which means in front of the library, vaguely the intersection of 14th and Farnam, in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.

I have been fielding a few questions regarding which paintings I will be bringing :), and yes, as many as possible, but the trusty van does have it's limitations. If you have connected with a specific painting at my website and are needing to see it up close and personal, please let me know. I will make sure it has reserved accomodations for the trip!

As this post is appearing to need a bit of color, I will show you what is currently on the easel, and will hopefully reach completion by the above mentioned dates!

Later, Cooper

Iowa City Arts Festival, It Happened Downtown

2009-05-31T09:08:00.008-07:00

Greetings,

The Iowa City Arts Festival is happening soon. In fact, very soon. The dates are June 6th and 7th. And I have a painting to show you that's related in an unrelated sort of way. "How does that work" you ask? Ha! Here's the title: It Happened Downtown.

Yup, the Iowa City Arts Festival happens in downtown Iowa City, Iowa. The streets of Dubuque, Iowa, Washington and Linn, are all involved, and yours truely will be location #104 on Linn Street.

AND. The aforementioned painting, at the moment not quite ready, but almost, will make the trip with me. So debut performance on this painting, but there will be others in the 'fresh off the easel' category as well. It Happened Downtown is an acrylic painting on a 30 x 30 inch canvas. If you are desperate for a downtown Iowa City scene, we can pretend this is one, but in reality downtown Minneapolis was the inspiration location. But. Like I said, we allow big imaginations in the world of art :) so you just go for it!

If you have visited with me about my paintings before and are on my mailing list, you should have received (or will shortly) a post card mentioning a 10% discount for a painting purchased during the Iowa City Arts Festival. I would like to extend that to my online fans as well, so make sure you mention reading this, and we will make it happen for you too!

Later, Cooper

2009-05-20T16:09:00.004-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio on this fine, albeit galeforcewindy day, in Spencer, Iowa. It is delightfully warm, and you can't argue with that!

Have I whined lately about keeping this house spotless? Yes, we are trying to sell, and I am getting close to wearing out the vacuum cleaner. The day is so magnificent that of course the windows are wide open. Couple that with the aforementioned gfwinds, and now I get to dust everything, along with the vacuuming. Another showing tomorrow at noon, so no morning painting. And let me tell you, with that going on till mid-day, it will be mentally hard to paint in the afternoon as well. The whole process does mess with the mind. It's amazing that I get any painting done at all. But I did today. This one is on a 20 x 16 inch heavy paper, still a little rough around the edges in places. We'll see, maybe getting a house ready for showing will zap my thoughts a different direction, and this one will finish up tomorrow. Who knows?

---no title yet, but who wants to bet that it will include "red"?!

Later, Cooper

Why Artists Paint The Way They Do

2009-05-18T07:58:00.002-07:00

And a big YEA!

Now, we've got to get him through college! Ha, I'd better get back to the studio.

Later, Cooper

At The Cooper Studio

2009-04-25T18:46:00.014-07:00

Greetings,

A goal organized in 2008 is the quarterly sending of a studio newsletter. Only 25 days late on the quarter :), here's a copy of said newsletter that went out to subscribers earlier this week. If you are desirous of joining the group, here's the link.

___________________________

What's new at the Cooper studio ? We'll attempt for one-liners in an effort to keep it minimal!

My husband picked up a book a few years back, Keep Your Brain Alive, by Katz and Rubin. My favorite subtitle from the book is "routines can be brain deadening". Wouldn't the alternative then be change is good? My brain ought to be like that of a twenty year old. Allow me to share a mere 14 months of change:

1. March 2008 daughter Lindsey and son-in-law Chris decided it was time for me to change to Grandma status. Plural. Girls. Yup, count to two.

2. September 2008 son Brian and daughter-in-law Lynn decided to do it their way. Boy, but they kept it singular :)

3. Son Brent decided he needed to add to the excitement last fall, so he arranged for me to meet him at the emergency room. Do you know what the bottom of a leg looks like when the foot is over and to the left a bunch? I don't recommend that you find out.

4. Because we have four children and all four of them like to keep our brains fit with change, daughter Abbie decided last November was a great time to get married. In Florida . It was perfect, and now we have a Jim in the family!

5. And did I mention our house is on the market? We are planning to move south. Well, a little. Still in Iowa , but closer to my husband's work. This has actually been in the plans for a year and a half while we wait for #6

6. The youngest Cooper (the one who did the premium trash job on his ankle) graduates this May! High school that is. Yes, that means we are also doing all the onward to college stuff. Dios Mio.

Now, after that, aren't we all amazed that I am still mentally capable of creating paintings? But I have been! Let me share a few.

During the November journey to Florida, we came across the coolest of little (emphasis little) cafes.

This cafe, the Heavenly Biscuit, Fort Myers Beach, inspired the painting of the same name, At The Heavenly Biscuit, currently on display at the Wine Bar Art Gallery in Arnolds Park, Iowa. It's an acrylic painting on a gallery wrapped canvas (finished edges) and measures 30 x 30 inches.

Although nothing is finer than to smoosh the paint around on a nice big canvas, I have been playing around with a smaller size canvas as well. A quick peek at a few:

Everybody Need A Little Treat Now And Then, also an acrylic painting on canvas, this one measuring 12 x 12 inches. available here

Maybe I Would Like Some Of That, 12 x 12 inch canvas, available here

I was in Evanston, Illinois last summer. This painting and the following are scenes of some of the people that needed painting outside the "Unicorn Cafe" in downtown Evanston.

Saturday Morning, Nothing Much To Do, acrylic painting on canvas, this one is back to a larger size. Ha! Can't get that much fun on a small canvas. This canvas is 32.5 x 36 inches. It's framed in a narrow black canvas floater frame.

Tea And A Book At The Unicorn, again, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 30 inches

Icecream Line, 30 x 30 inch canvas, framed in a narrow black strip frame also from the Evanston sojourn, picturing a scene just one block south of the Unicorn Cafe. And there are others. You may hop on over to my website portfolio to enjoy those. Here's a link

Some of these paintings will be traveling this summer. As follows:

June 5-7, Iowa Arts Festival, downtown Iowa City, Iowa their website is http://www.summerofthearts.org/

June 26-28, the 35th Annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival, downtown Omaha, Nebraska their website is http://www.summerarts.org/

September 6-7, the 55th Annual Art Fair On The Square, downtown Lake Forest, Illinois their website is http://www.deerpathartleague.org/

I am considering a few additions to the list, and promise to keep you informed.Surely that is enough for you to mull over for now! If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call 712 580 5315 or an email coopkja@yahoo.com I would love to hear from you.

Later, Cooper

Art Fair Director Woes?

2009-03-31T19:28:00.009-07:00

How much do you know about summer art fairs? You know, the white tents in the park?

I have actually written two articles on the subject lately, and it looks like number three is joining the crowd. Farmers And Artists And The Job investigates the aforementioned job descriptions in a (ahem) bouyant sort of manner. Should I Stay Or Should I Go-oh, The Summer Art Fair 2009, gives my top ten reasons to do just that---actually go to a show, or bash it, and stay home.

And here we are again, writing yet another summer art fair article. Sheesh. I'm acting like I know it all! Ha! I know some. But first let me give you the behind-the-scenes.

Most art fairs operate with a jury system. The artist submits their images (of their artwork) AND their jury fee check to the show they'd like to exhibit at. Yes Dorothy, we have to pay to even be considered. Jury fees range from $10 to $40. I haven't seen any higher than that, and I don't want to either. The jury sits and looks at artist's images at the rate of approximately one artist every ten seconds and then decides who they want to exhibit at their event. Notification is sent out to the winners and losers. The winners then get to send in their exhibit fee which is hardly ever less than $100, and I personally chose to ignore those that are over $500. And this win/win situation gives you the opportunity to drive a long ways and spend a weekend in a park hoping you'll meet someone who loves your paintings as much as your mother does :)

There is also a category known as "the wait-list artist". "And what in tarnation is that?" you might ask. Let me explain. Because all the jurying-limbo is done early in the year, and nobody knows where they are going to get accepted, many artists apply for several events, and ironically get accepted to fairs that happen on the same weekend. That means they have to cancel at one, leaving a blank spot in that art fair lineup. Heavens, we can't have a blank spot in the lineup, rather we develop the wait-list. So comes the list of ten to twenty artists who weren't quite favored enough to be winners, but weren't tossed out as complete losers either. One of those lucky souls then gets the call to send in their exhibit fee check and join in the fun.

Heads up: here comes the part that caused me to think it important to write this article. Today in my inbox I found an email from an art fair director announcing they had "openings" for their wait-list. What? Are they rebels and not following the art fair testament? OR is this a sign of things to come in the art fair world this summer? Inquiring minds want to know how many of their normal applicants did they not get this time around? And they need to round up a few more to keep in waiting, just in case? Wow. Several directors have also sent emails announcing their extended deadlines for application submission. (read: we haven't gotten enough yet either!)

Personally, I have picked and chosen with a significant amount of discerning care regarding potential art fairs for my summer calendar. I sent about 1/5 of the number of applications this year versus the previous. Gone is the desire to gamble on a "maybe" art fair.

Let's refer back to paragraph #3, where I insinuated I might know it all. Maybe, and here's some advice: If you are thinking starting up an art fair this year, would be a great fundraiser for your organization, you might want to reconsider. Times they are a changin'.

Later, Cooper

Farmers And Artists And The Job

2009-03-19T11:16:00.010-07:00

Greetings,

I have decided that for an artist, showing your work at the summer art fair is just a little bit, no, wait, A LOT like farming. Yes, as a matter of fact, I do have experience at both, odd as it sounds. Regarding their similarity, let me count the ways:

1. The summer art fair artist and the farmer both pray continually for good weather.

2. The summer art fair artist and the farmer are both inveterate gamblers. Both put their work out there and hope something grows. Crops or interest, accordingly. The gambling part you ask? What are the odds if I put the seed in the ground that something will come of it? And what are the odds if I hang a painting up for the world to see, that something will come of THAT?

3. Both parties run their own schedule. Gotta love those 'no clocks to punch' jobs, eh?

4. Addendum to #3, if something goes wrong, no one to blame but yourself. (or the weather)

5. The general public lives under errant assumptions regarding both fields of endeavor. Let me explain:

5a. The farmer; a God fearing, clean living sort of person, always of rugged muscular physique, (in g.p.'s eyes/mind) always lives out on the open prairie where the air is fresh and clean, and wide green pastures are dotted with black and white cows and red hip-roofed barns circa 1950. Oh, and they grow food for everyone, often at a loss, because they are just doggone nice people.
5b. The summer art fair artist; a gypsy sort of character, wearing a beret and a paint splattered apron, rises at 11:30 am, sometimes noon, spends their time traveling from one art show to another, a different town each weekend. (they are all on that same show circuit, you know) They have an easy job, because there's really nothing to it actually, I mean all they do is hang up paintings, right? Oh, and they provide lots of people with entertainment, often at a loss, because they are just doggone nice people.

Who'd of thought it, farmers and artists, all in one blog post? And for even more insightful info regarding the summer art fair artist, you might enjoy reading Should I Stay Or Should I Go-oh? The Summer Art Fair 2009. If you want more insightful info as to farmers, I could give you some phone numbers---- :) !

Later, Cooper

Daily Painting, Acrylic Painting, "Saturday Morning, Nothing Much To Do"

2009-03-16T17:41:00.006-07:00

Greetings,

I have been painting steadily for an upcoming show in April, at the Clear Lake Art Center. A gallery at Arnold's Park, The Wine Bar Art Gallery, is gathering art for the summer season and asked if I'd bring up some new. But of course! I took a good supply so they could pick and choose. The picked and chose all but one that I took up! Yea!

So that question we always ask at this blog "why do artists paint the way they do" ---well, "the way" just went from steadily to steadily with more speed. Yowza.

But some color for you:
I have several stages of this one posted at the daily painting blog, and with just a few (ahem) adjustments, this one will get the signature. At least that's the plan. Oh, and it's name: Saturday Morning, Nothing Much To Do

Later, Cooper

Thoughts On Readying For The Economic Upswing, And Painting To Match The Sofa

2009-03-05T17:42:00.019-08:00

Greetings,

I am into a book, Vincent By Himself, edited by Bruce Bernard. Technically, it's written by VanGogh, as it's really a compilation of his letters, interspersed with his paintings. In one of his many letters to brother Theo, I found a gem of a paragraph, which I'd like to share with you.

But first I would like to set it in present day context, because it really seemed to me as current today as it must have been when he wrote it. There have been many blogs written lately by artists planning to stay home from shows this summer, work on their art, hone up on their skills, study, maybe even create a new body of work, written as constructive, positive-outlook letters, by artists whose paintings aren't selling well in the current economy. Situations assessed, plans made for moving forward. Here's the paragraph:

"As to the the money value of my work, I do not pretend to anything less than that it would greatly astonish me if in time my work did not become just as saleable as that of others. (somebody's paintings aren't selling?) Of course I cannot tell whether that will happen now or later, but I think the surest way, which cannot fail, is to work from nature faithfully and energetically. (study?) Sooner or later feeling and love for nature meet a response from people who are interested in art. (prepare for the time when people are ready to buy art?) It is the painter's duty to be entirely absorbed by nature and to use all his intelligence to express sentiment in his work so that it becomes intelligible to other people. In my opinion working for the market is not exactly the right way: on the contrary, it means fooling art lovers. The true painters have not done this".-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love how he added in that 'not working for the market' phrase in a letter regarding paintings not selling. Do you suppose by that we can assume he really didn't care what the decorator colors were for the coming season? Ha! No painting to match the sofa concerns at the VanGogh studio, I would say.

But for those of you artists out there, working hard to prepare for the time when people will buy your paintings, I say "way to go!" It would seem to be an exceedingly good time to progress your skills. And about Vincent's remarks as to the ideals of a true painter, he's probably just as right now as he was then. Don't just paint to get by, paint to get THERE.

Later, Cooper

oh wait, do you need some color for this post? Ha, in lazy mode today, I entered this same writing on my daily painting blog. There, I decided everybody needed Knowledge Found In Quiet Places. Here, I am quite sure we need a bona fide student. So here you are then, Tea And A Book At The Unicorn.

Daily Painting, Someone's Lunch

2009-02-12T13:56:00.006-08:00

Hi there,

Welcome to daily painting at the Cooper studio. The paint du jour landed on one of my little 12 x 12 inch canvases. We are calling the painting, Someone's Lunch. As always lately, it's painted with acrylic paint.

I stretched a nice, big canvas this morning, and it's plan is another side walk cafe painting. The person from this little canvas will quite likely show up in the midst of all her patrons on the big canvas. Stay tuned. but for now, here's the image:

Someone's Lunch, acrylic painting on a gallery wrapped canvas, measuring a lovely 12 x 12 inches. You may find it, available at $125, in my portfolio. Enjoy.

Later, Cooper

Daily Painting And Why Do Artists Paint The Way They Do

2009-02-09T16:14:00.007-08:00

Howdy,

Why DO artists paint they way they do? That would be a long list. Let's just mention one for today.

There's a show coming up midApril of my paintings. Yeah, about 20 of them, is what I'm shooting for. I have a friend who says "oh, boring" of exhibits titled "latest works of" and that every good exhibit needs to be focused on something. I'm thinking consumables. You know, food, drink, things that are tasty. In fact I'm thinking along the line of 'in pursuit of tasty'.

Today was a warmup day. Just a little canvas, 12 x 12 inches, and here it is:

'Taint it fun? It's available at my website if you'd like to bop over there :)

Now it's time to go paint with a really big brush, and a roller. Ha, we're talking the walls of the bathroom. Yup, there's always something that needs painted, one way or the other!

Later, Cooper

Reviewing "Sketching School" by Judy Martin

2009-01-29T07:46:00.007-08:00

Good morning,

I was browsing the art shelves at a great little used book store, "The Used Book Emporium" in Longmont, Colorado. I was on a sketchbookbinge, and what should reveal itself on that shelf, but a copy of Sketching School by author Judy Martin.

It's dust jacket front promised 'complete with projects and a gallery of inspirational drawings. The back of the dust jacket followed up with 'let sketching school be your personal tutor, 40 specially designed projects, stepbystep instruction, sketching demonstrations by leading artists'. What's not to love about all that, right?

The book opens, and it's full of Stan Smith drawings (plus others) which is an auto-magnet. Of course, I purchase the book.

We return home to Iowa, perusing the visual content of the book on the way :). Back at home I decide I need to get into the text of the book as well. After all, it is a project book, designed to help me learn.

I've found the best way to do an instructional book is read the project and then DO IT, before moving on to the next. Hmmm. The problems begin. Where are those promised projects? Where is that stepbystep instruction? Ok, I did find a couple of 'sketching demonstrations by leading artists', but what about those '40 specially designed projects' the dust jacket print told me about? I tried to keep going, tried to find the 'meat' of the text, kept telling myself just keep working your way thorough it. The author's message will become clear shortly. Nope. Didn't happen.

If I were a betting woman (I'm not) I'd bet that this book was the result of a difference of opinion between author and editor. One of them thought it should be instructional, the other wanted it to be inspirational. So whoever wanted it to be inspirational kind of won. I will keep the book on my shelf because of the very inspirational Stan Smith sketches included in the book. Will I ever attempt to read the text again? Not any time soon.

Do I recommend you buy a copy? Only if you think your checkbook owes you some eye candy! I regretfully report the text of the book as 'not helpful'.

Later, Cooper

Book Review, "Bodyworks, A Visual Guide To Drawing The Figure

2009-01-19T17:47:00.006-08:00

Hello and welcome to my journal blog.

Always at the focus of this blog is the ongoing investigation of what makes artists paint the way they do! And always a major influence at this artist's studio, is a good book.

Is the "s" not the curviest letter in the alphabet? Of course it is. And that's where "Bodyworks, A Visual Guide To Drawing The Figure" begins, with, think like an "S"!

Marbury Hill Brown is the author of this not too thick book, a nice,managable 112 pages.

Brown, with a sideview look, visually traces that "s" from the base of the skull, down the spine to the pelvis, out to the front of the upper thigh and down to the arch of the foot.

Mr. Brown attributes a lot of human figurative qualitites to this posture note:

1. Balance
2. Flexability
3. Mobility
4. Grace
5. Resiliency

Likening the s-curve in the figure to a spring, he encourages the reader to think of it as a cushion against the impact of movement, as it counters the downward pull of gravity.

An especially agreeable writing skill Brown possesses is the ability to give the human figure motion, with words, that describe both the action and the reaction. Everything has a reason in the big picture, which is a definite bonus for all the right brain-ers of the world.

Oh, and did I mention the drawings? :) Yeah, I was just saving the best for last. The marvelous drawings are the absolute essence of this book. I've already told you Brown puts balance, mobility, flexability, grace, and resiliency right up front in his book, in word. And then he follows that with page after page of visual examples in the form of wonderfully descriptive drawings. It would be perfectly acceptable :) to buy this book for the drawings alone---you may consider the text as a bonus!

I recommend this book to any artist interested in drawing the human figure, but especially to those who are captivated by posture and using body language to inform.

And because no blog post should ever be without color, here's a newly completed painting for you: Morning News.

Nice s-curve, huh? Details of Morning News are on my daily painting blog and also my website portfolio. So, enjoy the painting and enjoy the book!

Later, Cooper

On Family Gatherings

2009-01-01T08:39:00.002-08:00

Good morning and happy new year!

My friend Mary (yup, that's her link over there on the side bar) wrote on her blog about her extended family (the Moore's) gathering at Christmas time. It's a delightful education for those of you who don't know about large families. When we lived in Nebraska, we had the privilege of knowing Jack (now in his heavenly home) and Dorothy Moore, so seeing that family photo was special.

It's kind of like the extended family on my side, the Andersons. We are a crazy group of people, pretty much hell-bent on getting to Grandma's house at Christmas, no-matter-what. This year, my brother Dennis and his tractor, accompanied by Dennis's son Eric, met each carload of crazyAndersons at the highway, to plow a trail in through the snow drifts. When we all left on Sunday night, he had to do the whole procedure in reverse. (Dennis, you are an amazing brother) Bear in mind, a quarter mile of this trail was actually in a corn field. We'll call it a field road. One of those kind normally reserved for farm equipment. But a good time was had by all.

My parents have nineteen granchildren, Seven are married. Four are not old enough to be married. (!) That leaves eight out there in 'available land' and they like to keep the aunts hopeful and guessing! So you never know who's going to show up at the door.

One memorable year at Grandma and Grandpa's house, which,when the youngest grandchild, Aaron, was about six, reigns in the history book as the true record of how it goes. First, you need to know about Aaron. Actually, you need to know Aaron. If you googled 'delightful humans' you'd probably find him in the number one spot. It only takes about a five minute chat with him and all of a sudden you're just feeling better about everything in general. Anyway, back to the year Aaron was six-ish or so. The Anderson house was packed to the seams with people. The doorbell rang. Aaron, (still intrigued with door bells) ran to answer. He opens the door with "Hi, I'm Taylor, welcome to our family!" We still aren't sure why he decided to be Taylor at that moment, but we all agree the message was true: add one more person, and you still never have too many.

And because our Christmas cards are still in the box, with only 4 or 5 of them addressed, Merry Christmas!

Later, Karen

Babies

2008-12-30T14:56:00.005-08:00

Greetings and Merry Christmas,

It was for me---look who came to our house!

sisters on the left, cousin on the right. They just don't come any sweeter, do they :)

Later, Cooper

Slacker-dom

2008-12-10T18:17:00.004-08:00

Howdy,
Ignore the title, I really have not been slacking. The posts have all just landed on the other blog. But today, you get one here!

So you know who Buddy Holley, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper were, right? Fifty years ago this coming January/February, they made the little town of Clear Lake, Iowa and a place called the Surf Ballroom famous, by playing a concert there, and then trying to take a plane ride out during a blizzard. Yeah, as the story goes, they didn't make it.

But every year since, "The Winter Dance Party" happens at the Surf to commemorate 'the day the music died'. This year being the 50th anniversary, they are pulling out all the stops. If you google their website 50winterslater, you'll note that a week's worth of concerts are already sold out. Sorry. BUT: The Clear Lake Art Center is helping out with the party by putting together a retro-50's art exhibit, or at least various artist's interpretation thereof.

I promised to have a couple of paintings ready, and there is a fun one going on the easel right now. We'll keep you posted.

Later, Cooper

Reasons To Paint, Why Artist Paint The Way They Do

2008-11-11T06:34:00.005-08:00

Greetings,

This fall we stained our concrete patio, and could not decide if we wanted to seal it with "high gloss" or "natural". This morning as it is sealed in about 1/4 inch of glossy ice, we decided we like that look but wish is was artificial :)

I have a lot on my paint brush schedule today part of which is a throw back to my ongoing exploration into why artists paint the way they do.

Last spring I posted a bonus package for you, a real two-fer! Today you get the update:

Liberty Jean, and Mia Corrine, tucked into their Burley and ready for a good walk/run!

And then on September 15th, along comes their Colorado cousin, Arridian James Cooper. He needs a painting for his room, and then because his aunt Abbie is getting married soon, she needs a new painting for her new house. So much for the business end of studio work, eh? Time to go spread some paint!

Later, Cooper

Snow On The Rooftop

2008-11-07T11:52:00.005-08:00

Howdy,

It's official. Summer is a now-fleeting memory.

This is the view out my studio window today. So we expect something unusual to happen inside the studio, right?

You know the line, 'what makes artists paint the way they do?' Too much white stuff outside the studio, two white canvases leaning on the wall inside the studio, ----I had no choice. I covered them up. I grabbed the big brush, found two of the thumbnail sketches I have been working on, and slathered them onto the canvases. In purple. Now, I'm going to go make chicken noodle soup for dinner tonight, and after that, hopefully have a few spare minutes to add some paint to these canvases, so that they are a little more explanatory to all the rest of you. Fortunately, I, myself, know with perfect certainty what they are saying :)

Later, Cooper

Daily Painting, Acrylic Painting On The Small Canvas

2008-10-29T19:12:00.007-07:00

Howdy!

What a great day! What are the odds that it ran over into the "effectiveness column" of that list I keep about "why artists paint the way they do"? What scales were tipped because it was a great day? Did I paint with more confidence? Did I paint with abandon, and not even care? Oh yeah, wait, that's what abandon means, right? Were my brush strokes stronger, more definitive? Did I find that great and perfect contrast of values? Was I smiling because it was a great day, and then the colors became even brighter, friendlier, than normal? Was it such a great day that I sensed the attitude of this simple little compostion, and added to it, rather than obsessing over whether it was correct?

Whew, that all makes me question attitude in realms other than painting---what if I operated on every day being a great day, even if most of what was on the schedule was just paying bills and cleaning the house? (Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people, eh? (Ephesians 6:7) What would happen then?!

Ok, here's a painting for you:

Little Canvas, Swirly Red Skirt, 12 x 12 inches, acrylic painting on canvas

Later, Cooper

DesMoines Art Festival Poster Kids

2008-10-23T19:36:00.005-07:00

Howdy,

So if you are on the mailing list for the Des Moines Art Festival, you probably found one of these (ahem) posters in your inbox tonight. Heheheheh. Don't you just gotta love artists with a sense of humor? Whoever at the Des Moines Art Festival is the artist behind this winner, my hat's off to you! Here's a portion of the email:

I’m not asking for your vote, but I am asking you to apply to the 2009 Des Moines Arts Festival!

HootHootHoot! Makes politics seem almost human!

Later, Cooper

ps. do ya think I should get sued for libel? :) Yadayada, lighten up.

Series: What Makes Artists Paint The Way They Do?

2008-10-16T20:31:00.014-07:00

Greetings,

I have been doing some reading about painters who work in series, or groups of paintings that explore the same subject.

You see, I have been feeling a bit repetitious---here's a canvas that I just blocked in:

Yup, we're back in June-time in Minneapolis at the Great River Energy Bicycle Races. And yes, I've already painted a painting where there is a spectator on the left and there is a blur of cyclists coming right at you. But this one is different---I have a photo reference from in front of Brit's Pub, and there are flags/banners flying much in the manner of Manet's Rue Mosnier Decked With Flags. And then there were the crowds, and the excitement, and the cyclists going by in a blur of speed (again!)---and it's impossible to say all that in one painting. Series.

I met a school principal in Boulder this summer who liked my painting Higher Education, except that it needed to be elementary school aged readers rather than college-aged readers, and could I possibly paint something like that? Well, that was the wrong question. The correct question was "could I possibly paint something like that ONCE?" Series.

(1) We always read that a good compostion is edited, that picking and choosing from your inspiration source is mandatory. The surest way to mess things up is to think that you can include everything. Series.

(2) A successful painting is about something you know. So you observe and you sketch, and you observe and you photo, and you observe some more and then maybe sketch again---all in an attempt to really get to know your subject. You end up with a massive amount of stuff on this subject. It's like school pictures of your kids, they send home this pile of pictures of your darlings knowing that YOU KNOW that if you don't buy them, then you have to send them back and they will just throw them away. Isn't that like a sin? Who can throw away all those good images, kids OR reference material?! Series.

(3) What about strength through repetition? Something interesting happened in our life drawing group. We have one very consistent model, who wanted to take the summer months off. During those summer months we had numerous models, seldom repeating. Two friends and I just opened our show "Go Figure"at the Pearson Lakes Art Center, with much of the work based on those life drawing sessions. Of forty paintings, one was of a model from the summer months where there was no repetition. The model with whom we work on a regular basis, (can we call it a series?!) was in many paintings. Series.

(4) I suppose we could also enter the point that we've got history on our side. How many times did Paul Cezanne paint Mont Sainte-Victoire? And Monet and the water lilies? Berthe Morisot (yeah, one of my favorites) painted her daughter time after time. Series.

Let's summarize: we can't paint everything all in one painting, we have a ton of reference material, and when we paint the same subject repeatedly we get good work. Not to mention all those famous guys whose work, in series, is pretty doggone famous as well. I've got two books on the bedside table, both authors stating that the subject doesn't matter, each for a different reason. (that'll be another post) I vote that the subject does matter, and we need to be repeating it, series style!

Later, Cooper

By the way, the Morisot painting I referenced is Young Girl Writing. I saw it as part of a traveling exhibit of impressionist work at the Grinnell College Art Gallery (Grinnell, Iowa) I vaguely remember it being on loan from Smith College at that time, but can't find it in their archives now. Has anyone seen it lately? It's currently not very google-able :(

U of Iowa link, To The Wharf painting

2008-10-07T07:56:00.002-07:00

Greetings,

Welcome to that blog that talks about why we artists paint the way we do!
Today is my day to be the featured artist on the Daily Palette, and if being featured, doesn't inspire you all the way down the hall to the studio, then nothing will :)
Feel free to click on that link. I'm outta' here :)

Later, Cooper

Daily Painting At The Cooper Studio

2008-09-30T15:53:00.006-07:00

Greetings,

I love days like this one! The sun is shining and I found a ten dollar bill laying on the sidewalk. Yay for me! It happened because I needed storefronts.

Let me explain: the next Boulder musicians painting is on the easel. It's a street scene, but the focus is the people, not the stores. However. I am having a hard time deciding if those stores should look like stores, or if they should be vague. I realized I needed to look at some stores, so trusty HP camera in one hand, and the blond one's (yes, that would be Olliver, aka golden retriever) leash in the other, we set off for downtown Spencer. We had a grand old time taking pictures, with our last photo opportunity being the hotel. One good hotel picture, the camera batteries died, and I found the $10 laying right there on the sidewalk. Perfect!

Now, if I could just decide about those storefronts in this painting. Maybe tomorrow.

Later, Cooper

Daily Painting, Ice Cream And Salad

2008-09-26T07:18:00.006-07:00

Greetings,

It's a beautiful Friday morning right after an interesting Thursday! Thursday started at 5:37am with a rafter-rattling lightning strike, the kind that almost knocks you out of bed :) Coupled with the fact that said lightning/thunder caused the dog to come unglued and try to climb into bed, well, we were all set up for unusual!

So as I was stumbling about the kitchen trying to make coffee, with a dog (remember, this is an oversized golden retriever) cowering about my feet, I happened to glance at some grapes sitting in a bowl, and it suddenly occurred to me that I really ought to paint them. And so I did :)

And I kept right on going! A little more paint slinging on the ice cream stand painting, and two new canvases blocked in as well. There is a new Boulder musicians painting coming, and a painting of a playground with children reading and playing.

And tonight is the artist's reception/opening for the A.R.T. exhibit at Arts On Grand. It appears to be another busy day in the making.

Later, Cooper

What Makes Artists Paint The Way They Do?

2008-09-24T20:02:00.008-07:00

Greetings!

What makes artists paint the way they do? Here's a top ten answer for you: when you get the post card in the mail announcing the show you're going to be in and everything is not quite ready yet----!

I believe the follow-up phrase is fasterFASTER.

Later, Cooper

acrylic painting and sketch books

2008-09-24T08:00:00.010-07:00

Greetings! And happy Monday, um, I mean Wednesday to you!

Yeah, I threw out the calendar page for this week, it's all messed up in my head anyway, and today really does feel like Monday! I have been out to Longmont (Colorado) to help with a new grandbaby! Arridian James Cooper, and a handsome young'n he is. (duh, of course!) We will get that picture posted pronto!

And because it's time to get back to some semblance of work now, I was reading work related emails and found this rather interesting bit: Empty Easel has an article about using your blog as a sketch book. Seems to me I have been doing that already, but sometimes feeling a bit guilty about it. I am of the vein that sketch books are for ideas and not needing to look like perfection-honed works of art (read: my sketch books are scribble-y) At any rate, now somebody has gone and given me guilt-freedom in posting any messy sketch book page I want. whoody-ha. On that note, sketch book pages from a recent studio session:

Later, Cooper

Acrylic Painting, Studio Model

2008-09-10T12:45:00.008-07:00

Howdy,

Welcome to Spencer, Iowa, where the sky is a smidgen bit gray and probably causing concern at the Clay County Fair, also known as the nation's largest and best county fair. Sunny skies just generally work better for fair goers. Tommorrow I will be one of those. Arts On Grand plays host at the Art Barn at the Clay County Fair, and I will be an able volunteer there on both Thursday and Friday of this week. Stop by if you're in town :)

On the easel: (wow, look, I need to number them!)

1. An ice cream stand painting. It's got no name yet, but the scenario runs with a crowd of people standing in front of a streetside ice cream stand, all waiting their turn. That alone was enough to encourage the painter in me to get to work. The clincher will be if I can manage to get at least one of the giant inflatable ice cream cones that were swinging in the breeze included in the composition. This painting is blocked in in very messy fashion, but I can feel their attitudes when I look at these vaguely rendered folks, so I am pretty sure I am on the right trail. That image will go on my daily painting blog, where I show stages of paintings. But here's a quick peek of where I was:

2. Then, as promised to the many people who saw and enjoyed 'Wild Street Music' at Artsplash in Sioux City, Labor Day weekend, there's another one coming. The next painting inspired by those Boulder, Colorado musicians is still in the drawing stages, but it's going to be fun. At first I thought the stars of the painting were going to be two slightly ragtag musicians, but they just might be getting upstaged. Enter the hound dog and a guy with long blond dreds, who are apparently ardent fans.

3. Last night was spent at the studio at the Pearson Lakes Art Center, where our group of artists meet to paint with a model. I always say I love books that end with the heroes living 'happily ever after' :) I am beginning to wonder if that's a glitch, or maybe (hopefully) a key structual point of my personality. I am beginning to feel like I am painting happily ever after into my paintings lately. Our model last night was perfectly cheerful and always great to work with, but for this pose was not smiling. No matter, because look at that light and airy spring green that ended up around her. (The blue is another painting hanging on the wall) In reality the wall is that awful greybeige that people put on their walls to hide the fact that (1) they are scared of color or (2)they have been told that greybeige is a lovely statement for their environs. Give me a break. But I digress. On this specific studio painting, you have to ignore the fact that I succumbed to that terrible artist disease, where you get home from studio, it's late, you look at the canvas, it's late, but you suddenly see something that needs fixed, and it's late but you go ahead and get a brush out anyway. THAT is what is wrong with her hands. But I think I can fix it :) yet.

Later, Cooper

Shut The Windows! And It's Time For Pumpkin Paintings

2008-09-03T06:40:00.010-07:00

Good morning,

and happy Wednesday to you! Welcome to Spencer, Iowa where we had a balmy 44 degrees when the alarm went off this morning. No big deal, EXCEPT every window in the house was open! By my calculations, 44 degrees is a mere dozen from frost. We shut all the windows on the first floor, the weather guy promised we'd like them open this afternoon.

And with that, I am coloring up this post with two pumpkin paintings. Yes, they are last fall's pumpkins. I have been by my favorite pumpkin patch and noted they are ready, but haven't had a minute to stop in. Note to self: must make that happen soon :) With no further ado, two pumpkin paintings:

Still Life With Two Pumpkins, 24 x 30 inches, acrylic on canvas http://karencooperpaintings.com/

Pie and Coffee, 20 x 24 inches, acrylic on canvas, http://karencooperpaintings.com/

Thanks for stopping by.

Later, Cooper

Artsplash, Art Fair, Sioux City

2008-08-23T06:30:00.008-07:00

Good morning!

What a beautiful one it is! We will be hopping right on that mammoth weekend 'to do' list once again. But before we go there, just a few updates.

Artsplash is an art fair held in Sioux City, Iowa at Chris Larsen Park on the banks of the Missouri River. We have the dates of:

Friday, August 29th, 4-8pm preview
Saturday, August 30, 10am-7pm
Sunday, August 31, 10am-5pm

Yours truely will be located in booth space #47. Please stop by. I have new paintings for you to see: A large (40 x 40") street scene painting, a cafe scene painting, and if I paint mistake-free this week, a painting of a group of string musicians.

Also on the horizon are two publications. The DailyPalette is a University of Iowa online publication, who with a few simple clicks on their RSS feed, gives you daily artwork by the artist of the day. Sometimes it's a visual artist, sometimes a writer (yes, lots of cool poetry) Definitely you will want to have done the appropriate clicking by October 7th so the featured artist of THAT day absolutely makes it to your inbox. October 7th featured artist: me!

Coming in October I will also be the featured artist in My Home magazine. The color and photography in this magazine are truely amazing, eye candy to the max. I am excited to see how the feature turns out!

And then there is A.R.T. That's the Northwest Iowa Artisans Road Trip. The dates this year are October 4th and 5th. It's called a road trip because YOU get to take the trip and your destination is artist locations all along the 'creative corridor' of northwest Iowa. We will be exhibiting AND demonstrating our work for you. I would love to send you a copy of the road trip book, which has bios and sample artwork from each exhibiting artist as well as a map and directions of how to reach each artist. I will be easy to find this year, as I am exhibiting/painting with a painter friend at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, Iowa. Again, if you'd like a copy of the book, just leave a note here or on the contact page on my website.

Ok, Saturday morning list, here I come.

Later, Cooper

"Tea And A Book At The Unicorn", acrylic painting, Artsplash in Sioux City, Iowa

2008-08-22T15:42:00.008-07:00

Howdy!

It's Friday and almost quittin' time for this artist. I just got done with 3 (yup, that's THREE) photo sessions with the HP and the SAME painting. Aaargh. I wonder if that's why I need to gather up the newly finished paintings and head downtown to my favorite photographer's studio soon. He's got skills, while the little HP and I just get by. But, just getting by, means I can post a somewhat passable image of the newest painting out of the Cooper studio yet today. It's the cafe scene which at this point is titled "Tea And A Book At The Unicorn" I should share that I am just very pleased with my efforts on this one. Take a look:

So, "Tea And A Book At The Unicorn", acrylic painting on a gallery wrapped canvas, which measures a lovely 24 x 30 inches.

Later, Cooper

PS. For those of you in the Sioux City, Iowa area, Artsplash, the art fair presented by the Sioux City Art Center is just one weekend away. I am scheduled to be there, so that will be the first public viewing of this painting!

Spencer Daily Reporter story

2008-08-19T16:47:00.004-07:00

Hi there,

I am going to commit a visual artist crime today. I am posting without a visual image for you. How can it get any worse than that, I ask you?

So today I was over at the church working on the mural, and several people stopped by and asked if I'd seen the paper (Spencer Daily Reporter) yet today. Of course not. Turns out it has a story about said mural and Sunday school project, written way better than I could have ever. So if you click, THEN you get an image, see, I'm making you work for it! :)

Later, Cooper

acrylic painting, on the easel: Tea And A Book At The Unicorn

2008-08-16T06:34:00.007-07:00

Good morning and happy Saturday to you! It's a very beautiful one in Spencer, Iowa, to be sure.

Why do artists paint the way they do? Today, that question and often searched topic on this blog, has hidden meaning :) The Cooper family lives in a 1920's vintage home, which we very much enjoy, but every now and then, you have to do the elbow grease thing. It appears today is that day, and the list is enormous. I don't think today's paint slinging will involve an easel!

But I have been at the easel this week. I've got several images on the daily work blog, one of which is a painting well underway of a group of string musician that we saw while at the Boulder Art Fair. And here's another, a friendly little cafe scene I saw earlier this summer in Evanston, Illinois. Yup, I am working on both at the same time, and sandwiched in by the mural project, which is also progressing nicely. See, I don't just sit around!

Oh, and we are calling this one Tea And A Book At The Unicorn. 24 x 30 inches, a gallery wrapped canvas, it's progressing nicely and feeling special already!

Later, Cooper

open studio results

2008-08-07T21:00:00.005-07:00

Howdy,

So why do artists paint the way they do? Tonight I went up to the art center (Pearson Lakes Art Center) to see a new exhibit by artist Thaddeus Erdahl, had a glass of wine, listened to him tell about his work, which was pretty interesting by the way. He has an unusual concept of communication and the breakdown (or futility?) of it.

Right after that we had a model sit for us at open studio. Very easy going kid, but I think we bored her, until we told her it was okay to get out whatever video game was in her bag :) Two quick paintings and some drawings which in retrospect are unidentifiable. I will post two paintings, but the one has a definite problem. I brought them home and sat them on the kitchen counter to take another look, and said "oh, this one needs more here" That's usually a fatal mistake for most paintings at that hour of the night. At any rate, her legs were crossed at the ankle until that moment and now they just look confused---so maybe I'll fix it and maybe I won't! Update at eleven :)

Later, Cooper

Mural, Kid-style takeoff of the Last Supper!

2008-08-06T11:47:00.004-07:00

Howdy,

So I wrote earlier today maybe you'd get mural progress pics. Will you settle for half? Somehow even thought the whole plan is drawn on the wall in charcoal, my painting efforts to date have been confined to the left half. That's probably related to all my paint containers sitting down at that end. :) So here you are:

I think we're calling it 'Big, Big Table', at least for now.

Later, Cooper

"To The Wharf" Painting

2008-08-06T06:02:00.006-07:00

Good morning!

Spencer, Iowa is enjoying a pleasant little rain shower as we speak. Ollie and I had just rounded the corner back into the alley from our morning run as the first few drops descended, what timing!

I spent yesterday working on the mural project, but sorry to report, no photos yet. Maybe today.

Next on the art show schedule is ArtSplash, held in the Chris Larsen Park in Sioux City, Iowa. The festival schedule:

Friday, August 29th, 4pm to 8 pm

Saturday August 30th, 10am to 7pm

Sunday August 31st, 10am to 5pm

The varnish on the latest painting is finally dry, and it has a title. "To The Wharf" is an acrylic painting on a gallery wrapped canvas, measuring a lovely 30 x 30 inches. I will plan on bringing it to Artsplash so you can see it up close and in person!

Later, Cooper

art and blues (the musical kind) combo

2008-07-31T06:14:00.003-07:00

Greetings!

We are on a roll in northwest Iowa with the hot and sticky weather. Here's my theory on all of that: Do you remember this past winter? It was cold. Very, very, excessively cold. And it took forever to go away. But that's what winter is known for, right? But it maxed out all of it's winterly qualities.

Then came spring. In Iowa. Spring is noted for windy and wet, right? And it did it to the max, and it took forever for it to stop.

It's summer now, and what is summer in Iowa famous for? Humid and hot and more humid, plus a little more humid. Considering the track record of this year's seasons to date, I am forcasting that we we will have hot, humid and a little more humid until probably Thanksgiving time. But that's ok, summer is my favorite!

Speaking of summer, what could be better than summer at the lake? Maybe summer at the lake with art in the park and a blues fest? So here's your big chance: August 2, Art In The Park And The Blues Fest @ Preservation Plaza, Arnolds Park, Iowa. And I think I have a new painting almost ready to take along---what do you think?

Later, Cooper

Another painting look at the Great River Energy Bicycle Race

2008-07-15T16:53:00.007-07:00

Hey,

It's official, it's now a series. I just put a signature and a layer of varnish on the second painting inspired by the Great River Energy Bicycle Race that happened in Minneapolis early June. I have promised before that part of the mission of this blog is to explain (try!) why painters paint the way they do. Inspiration is a big part of it.

And Ragbrai is gearing up too! For the few of you who don't know what that is, Ragbrai goes like this:

R the Register's (as in the DesMoines Register)
a annual
g great
b bike
r ride
a across
i Iowa

and I do believe this is Ragbrai #36. The resident highschooler works at Bikes, Boards, and Blades, a great bike shop here in Spencer, Iowa, and even though Spencer is not on the route this year, they are still feeling the push. Lots of hours today, but a whole bunch more cyclists have road worthy bikes ready for the week ahead!

Ok, back to work.

Later, Cooper

another painting from the Great River Energy Bicycle Race

2008-07-09T15:48:00.006-07:00

Howdy,

It's a good thing my studio is of the second floor sort WITH a door that opens to a lovely tree shaded balcony because it was definitely too nice a day to be locked away in a stuffy little room somewhere. As a result of the aforementioned locale, I managed to get some pretty fair painting done. The second painting stemming from the Great River Energy Bicycle Race is almost 'there'. I have been pushing the energy button (is there such a thing as an energy button??) to get some of what was at the race into the painting.

And on another front, the next art fair hosting Cooper paintings will be in Boulder, Colorado. The dates are July 19th and 20th. It's held downtown on a neat ped-mall---shade trees there, too! If you are reading this from the 'front range', then you are probably close enough to stop by, so do! Of course, with two kids in Longmont, Colorado (the next town over), we are planning a little R and R on the side :)

Ok, now let's add some color to this post: I have alternately been referring to this painting as the 'second bicycle race painting' or 'helmet heads'. I will consider all other good title suggestions. Hey, sometimes titles happen before the paintings do, and sometimes the titles are just a little slow in coming!

I suppose I should mention at this point, that it's not quite done yet. Maybe tomorrow. It's chronicle of progress is on my work blog.

Later, Cooper

Fountain Square Art Festival---wham!

2008-06-30T19:31:00.011-07:00

Howdy,

I wrote on my last post that I was "ready" to head east for the Fountain Square Art Festival in Evanston, Illinois. Wrong!!! There was no way of being ready for that. The show opened breezy on Saturday morning, and picked up even more during the day, to the point that it was annoying. About an hour before closing time, I took a quick break at the artist's hospitality room, and the return trip to my booth gave me a dead-on view of a lovely black cloud perched on the west end of Church Street, which just happened to be the cross-section street of the fair. I ran the rest of the way back and sent my weekend compadre (daughter Abbie) after the car. I started bracing for the hit, which is really ridiculous in a nylon covered tent with aluminum legs! But a person's gotta at least try, don't you think? Abbie pulled the car in as close as she could get, which was actually the alley about 25 feet north, and I got two boxes of paintings loaded and headed back for more. You know, when a 70 mph wind gust is descending, running back into that aforementioned nylon and aluminum tent was probably not wise, but there I was. At first I had the crazy idea that I could hold it down, but then I realized that IT thought it could make my fly. I would say the definition of the word surreal was formulated at that point. That surreal moment?---as it dawned on me, I was next to the panel holding my brand new painting of the Minneapolis bicycle races, and in an ahah! moment, I decided I'd save that one at least, and yea for me, I did. With 45 pound weights dragging from each tent leg, and me and my propanels full of paintings on the inside, we ended up in a heap out in the middle of Sherman street. Amazingly the stupid EZ-up (often referred to in the art show world as EZ-downs) stayed on it's feet. All my apendages seemed to be working (!) so Abbie, a good samaritan named Rod, and I started grabbing paintings and putting them in the front door of the shop that was right behind us, because at that point the bucket of rain over our heads decided to start dumping. Net result: stupid EZup has a slight bend in one cross bar, one section of propanel has an interesting curl at the top, and five paintings have scuffed corners that will have to be touched up. Oh, and we do have a few bruises, but nothing serious. Incredible! Because at the south end of the show, it rolled about 40 exhibits down the street, and there was nothing left to salvage. We talked to an Evanston policewoman who was checking people, and she reported artwork flying up to the fourth story windows of the buildings. The organizers put out a newsletter the next morning--injuries included two broken arms, a sprained ankle and some lacerations. Yowza! So do you want to see the painting I decided to save first? :) (sheesh-crazy artist!)

"Between Laps" from the Great River Energy Bicycle Races, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40 inches, it's formative stages are shown on my project blog.

Later, Cooper

ps. would you like to see what a pile of about 40 EZups (er, EZdowns) look like all rolled together? Here's a link. Oh, and the guy that wrote the news story with it, talked about the artists with pottery---he kind of missed "glass". Not only were there a number of glass artists there, but lots of paintings are framed behind glass, and when the glass breaks, and your roof is gone, and it's raining, those paintings don't live long---sadly.

Fountain Square Art Festival, And The Mural

2008-06-25T07:41:00.008-07:00

Greetings!

And happy Wednesday to you! Spencer, Iowa is a bit on the sun-free side at this hour, but when Ollie and I did our 6:30 run it was absolutely lovely.

I am getting ready for a trip east. The Fountain Square Art Festival, in Evanston, Illinois, is this weekend, June 28th and 29th. It takes place in downtown Evanston, at the crossroads of Sherman and Church. My space is #36 which is actually on the east (northeast?) side of Sherman. For those of you in the area, stop in and say hi! I've got some new paintings to show. "Shopped" just got it's signature yesterday, and I've got a large canvas of a bicycle race on the easel, with two days to spare yet! :)

"Shopped", acrylic painting on a gallery wrapped canvas, measuring a lovely 30 x 20 inches---

About the mural:

Keeping in mind one of the missions of this blog is to tell why some artists paint the way they do, let me tell you about my morning yesterday! Our church is renovating the elementary Sunday school area. Nice rich jewel tone paint is going up on all the walls, and there seems to be a need for a mural over a stage area---"Karen, you can do this, right?" Trust me, painting a mural is so much easier, and more in line with my brain function than being a Sunday school teacher! So with a copy of Da Vinci's 'Last Supper' and my trusty HP camera in hand I met up with a gang of kids to recreate that painting kid-style and record it all photogenically to develop the painting from. I made a few suggestions for poses and then told them to do their own thing, which didn't turn out too bad. I took a few pictures and then thinking I was done with them, they really did their own thing, which I kind of expected to happen. Then I got the best pictures! Would Da Vincini have let one of his models lay on top of the table with chin propped on hands? What would Jesus have said if one of the disciples had done it?! As you might have guessed, I'm thinking this painting will be a lot of fun! I'll keep you posted.

Later, Cooper

favorite book on painting the figure

2008-06-23T17:15:00.003-07:00

Hi there,

I just got done uploading today's paint slinging episode images on my work blog. I do believe I mentioned progress that resulted from reviewing my favorite 'painting the figure' book. I should probably expound on that enough to at least give you a title and an author, huh? :)

Bodyworks, A Visual Guide To Drawing The Figure by Marbury Hill Brown
I probably appreciate it most from my overzealous visual point of view. This book does not tell you this bone goes here and that muscle does this---it SHOWS you. I always say a picture is worth a thousand words.

I do seem to be, ahem, developing a large collection of books on the subject of painting the figure. And guess what, the mailman brought me two more today. Abebooks.com sent me a handy online coupon that expired on June 19th. What else was I supposed to do? I chalk it up to continuing education, which is, I'm sure, tax deductable. :)

Later, Cooper

the venerable competitor, yup, that's me

2008-06-23T07:11:00.010-07:00

Howdy,

So I got this special little email this morning from an online competition that I sent a painting to. Apparently I am a finalist, but I am guessing everybody is a finalist :) At any rate, here's the link: http://www.artflock.com/competition/emptyeasel/ so you can go look/vote!

The painting I sent, Amantes Dispuestos, is one of my all-time favs from the readers series, so even if everyone IS a finalist, I feel patting myself on the back over my entry is not a grevious error :) Sheesh. Back to the studio.

Amantes Dispuestos 20 x 30 inches, acrylic on canvas

Later, Cooper

By the way, what I painted over the weekend will NEVER grace the portal of ANYBODY'S competition. Yesterday I grabbed a charcoal pencil and scribbled all over it trying to locate my error/s. For all those of you who question life drawing or painting the nude figure: aaach! The red dress (scroll way down to the bottom of the post) this person is wearing will not cooperate and I KNOW it's because her hips are crooked in there somewhere. I will of course update you on today's paint slinging at a future hour !

new on the painter front

2008-06-21T07:23:00.009-07:00

Greetings!

And happy Saturday to you! I had to take my coffee out to the patio this morning, it's THAT beautiful of a day!

Bearing in mind my promise to journal here, on things that cause me to paint the way I do, let me update you, visually, of course.

I got to go on gramma duty earlier this week. This pair was not letting their mommy get any sleep, and their daddy was sent to Cedar Rapids to help there, so gramma to the rescue. Everything times two, what an underrated statement! Pretty darn cute, huh?

Last weekend I accidentally went to my first real bike race. I happened to be in Minneapolis while the 'Great River Energy Bicycle Races' were happening. A whole section of downtown was roped off so these athletes could do their race while masses of people stood by to watch. It was very high energy and so much fun. I still have mental images of it all, but am glad I had my trusty HP with me---I think the two will very possibly combine for some great paintings :)

And yesterday's studio work gets posted also! A red dress, who can deny the fun there? Stages of this painting are posted on my project blog for you as well.

Okay then, back to work!

Later, Cooper

season opener

2008-06-02T20:11:00.005-07:00

Howdy!

If you take a peek at that schedule I posted just a few days ago, you'll see that the summer art show season has begun for the Cooper camp.

I was at Countryside Village Art Fair in Omaha this past weekend. Several paintings have new homes, a fact that pleases me immensely!

A painting that I really pushed the midnight oil on, just to have it finished in time, was amongst those. I was very pleased with how the painting turned out, and it was seriously gratifying to have someone else vote yes so quickly :) (although while it hung on my display wall and I looked at it for awhile, there was one little place I wanted to dab at with a red paint brush!)

And so it's on to Minneapolis, for the Stonearch Art Festival at St Anthony Main, June 14th and 15th. Must be time to finish off a few more paintings--it's always fun to show new ones!

Later, Cooper

painting the park

2008-05-27T22:08:00.011-07:00

Hi there!

Do you remember I described this as a journal blog, hoping to tell what causes me to paint the way I do? :)

Well, I spent the last couple of nights at my daughter and son-in-law's house trying to help them get some sleep. Two little babies were trying their hardest to keep that from happening. :) I have never heard babies moan and groan like these two do. My daughter and I discussed the possiblility this morning that they (the girls) are already developing their 'special language' Liberty got to go home from the hospital about ten days earlier than Mia, but once they were back to being room mates, the 'talking' started!

So did it affect my painting? On my project blog, I talked about 'daubs and splodges' as being a better definition than 'impressionism'. The park I was painting is beginning to look like someone slung paint around with abandon. Oh yeah, wait a minute, I was. :) The true test of 'impressionism' vs 'daubs and splodges' will come tomorrow morning when (after a whole night's sleep!) we see if I am compelled to tidy up those messy brush strokes. And besides, I can show you some pretty famous impressionist paintings with seriously messy brushstrokes, so maybe I should just sign it?

Here's the painting so far:

"Park Bench Confidantes"

Later, Cooper

Cooper summer art show schedule

2008-05-22T19:29:00.004-07:00

Howdy,

I have decided to stop being exhausted after long days at the greenhouse :) and just get back to being an artist again. Maybe burning calves and aching arches are really just a form of procrastination! At any rate, at the greenhouse, we are actually starting to empty out buildings, which means the 'annuals department' will be winding down the season soon.

I got in about three hours in the studio tonight and like what happened. The images are on my project blog.

Here, I decided to post my summer art show schedule, so, drum roll please:

May 31st and June 1st
Countryside Village Art Fair in Omaha, Nebraska, Pacific at 87th.
"We are the oldest and finest outdoor art show in Nebraska. Dedicated to fine art. 140 artists"

June 14th and 15th
Stone Arch Art Festival, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Riverfront District at St Anthony Main

June 28th and 29th
Fountain Square Art Festival, Evanston, Illinois, Downtown Evanston

July 19th and 20th
Boulder Art Fair, Boulder, Colorado, Pearl Street Ped Mall

July 26th and 27th
Geneva Fine Arts Fair, Geneva, Illinois, Downtown Geneva

August 2
Art In The Park And The Blues Fest @ Preservation Plaza, Arnolds Park, Iowa

August 29th, 30th, and 31st
Artspash, Sioux City, Iowa, Anderson Pavilion on the Sioux City Riverfront

September 27th and 28th
Art In The Barn, Barrington, Illinois, on the grounds of Good Shepard Hospital

October 4th and 5th
A.R.T. Northwest Iowa Artisans Road Trip

October 10th -
Go Figure, Pearson Lakes Art Center, Okoboji, Iowa
"United by subject matter, local artists Doug Genschmer, Karen Cooper and Lissa Potter will present a selction of colorful works relective of their studio time together."

And that's it for now. If there are any additions, I'll be the first to let you know!

Later, Cooper

Two Great Photos

2008-04-01T19:25:00.004-07:00

Hello,

Wow, you can't top my day! I am a brand spankin' new Gramma!

On this blog I like to write about things that make me paint paintings the way I do--well, they ought to get interesting now!

Twenty fingers, twenty toes, 9 lbs and 34 inches, divide by two! And here they are!

Liberty Jean and Mia Corrine, pretty cool, huh?

Later, Cooper

acrylic painting, life drawing and current work

2008-03-12T19:17:00.008-07:00

Hi there!

Chemistry stress, twin grandbabies ready to enter the world, long days at the greenhouse. keys locked in cars, a dog that finally realized it's not as cold as it was and now wants to go for more frequent runs :), life drawing group that can't stay on schedule, just a few of my excuse for not posting regularly lately! But I have been painting, and the proof will be in the uploaded photos.

Our life drawing group has actually met twice in the last two weeks, which is a new record for this winter. Yes, we are supposed to meet every week, but there have been a few interferences!

The two images here are from life drawing from March 3rd, and March 11th. Neither is complete, but you may refer to paragraph one of this post for already mentioned excuses for my troubles with completed paintings lately!

Then I have another image of the large canvas that has been hanging out on my easel for about a month! Slowly but surely, I do believe I'm getting it where I want it! First, a detail photo, and

then the whole canvas:

Later, Cooper

acrylic painting, more of the 'Delta Force Reader'

2008-03-02T08:59:00.005-08:00

Howdy!

So every roof line on the house is dripping, yea! It's cloudy, but it's melting, so I'm ok with that. We got home from church, and the air was so mellow that Ollie and I got a run in already!

Way back in January the Thursday night studio group had a model reading 'Delta Force' and several paintings have come from those sessions. This one:

I had earlier called done, but it wasn't signed, nor was it varnished. Maybe it won't ever be? :) At any rate, yesterday after we finished our day's work on the current remodel project, (ugh) I was shifting things around in the studio---you know how these things go---I ended up with this one back on the easel. It's got a real name now, I think when I get done posting this I'll go slap a signature on it! Another Chapter Of Delta Force Reader, 16 x 20 inches, acrylic on canvas. I'll put it up on my website as well, should it need to hang in your library!

Later, Cooper

acrylic painting, February 25th, 2008

2008-02-25T20:48:00.003-08:00

Hello everybody!

It's a windy night in Spencer, Iowa! We started the day with husband-sliding-kind-of-ice. My spouse was supposed to leave for work at 5:30 this morning. I watched him head out the driveway and slide right across the street and into the snow bank on the other side. So he managed to get his vehicle back in the driveway and came back in the house. Aaaah, Monday. The ice was followed by snow. School said '2 hour late start' and then gave up and called the whole day. The snow stopped by mid afternoon, and I was still hoping for a slight chance to work with the Monday night life drawing group. After I was done at the greenhouse for the day, I buzzed north out of town to check the highway---yeah, the wind had decided to warp out to gale-force, and highway 71 was a white out. So, I cranked up my happy little ceramic heater in the studio and painted some more sunshine and warm breezes onto the street cafe scene painting that I have been working on. I have earlier photos posted on the project blog, and here's one that has tonight's work included.

Later, Cooper

acrylic painting

2008-02-18T20:06:00.004-08:00

Howdy everybody!

Spring is trying to come, or maybe a few of us are trying to force it. ---Today I started working again at the garden center (Del's Garden Center, Spencer, Iowa) which means it is time to start planning your 2008 garden. Note that I said planning, not planting :) Isn't it crazy to think that all those beautiful little plants that you buy in early May need to get started now? We worked on things like spikes, ivy, springerii, etc today. It's a great fix for cabin fever, but it's also going to make me change my painting schedule a bit. I wonder if less time to spend at the easel made me put the paint on with more determination, or speed, or maybe even less caution? At any rate the evening's work is posted on the project blog tonight.

One painting note that is getting to be a frustration point: we had to cancel our Monday night life drawing group again. People are sick, the roads are covered with yucky-crappy icey stuff, and when that -4 degree temp and 30 mph wind hit me in the face, I cringe enough that my whole spine aches. Whew, listen to this painter whine! I'll be better tomorrow, I promise.

Later, Cooper

acrylic painting 'Picking Summer Flowers', February 15th, 2008

2008-02-15T05:49:00.009-08:00

Greetings Everyone!

There's frost on the window this morning, the kind that has feathery little edges that radiate out from a center section that's impervious to vision. I am pretty sure it's illegal to say radiate and frost in the same sentence, especially when it's a minus 9 degrees that's causing it. Welcome to my town, Spencer, Iowa. I guess it encourages thinking warm thoughts?

Somewhere on this blog, or the other blog that I keep, I wrote a mission statement of giving the reader insight as to why painters do what they do. And then the 'artbizcoach' Alyson Stanfield has given the message in her newsletter, that artists need to write their purpose and vision statements as an aid to moving their careers forward. And then, being winter, and needing to drink more hot coffee--it's the build-up effect. Regarding all that, I am wondering if somewhere in what I have been pushing toward recently is my vison or purpose. I have always said I paint still lifes and people, that figures are more challenging, and when I need a breather from the challenge I paint a still life, because they're easy. So why have I given two of the three still lifes painted this year to the garbage guys? And I have a growing pile of figurative pieces? I have always been a people-watcher. [Now that will get you the remarks! "Too much eye contact, Cooper", "Mom, you're embarrassing", "That's annoying", "Quit staring", "How rude" --ok already!] But there is something fascinating about how people move their hands, their posture, a slight hesitation before they act---did I use the phrase build up effect already? :) Ok, now you are wanting me to stop and this post has been rather colorless to this point. So, how about an injection? I promised to do better with getting photos of this painting in the later stages, but I failed. The painting just wanted completion! Signed and named, here is the acrylic painting 'Picking Summer Flowers'. It measures a lovely 21 x 17 inches. It's an acrylic painting original on heavy gessoed paper. Can you see summer? :)

Later, Cooper

Acrylic painting on February 12th, 2008 At The Cooper Studio

2008-02-12T15:32:00.000-08:00

Greetings everybody!

Winter is still here, and in utter defiance, I am still painting summer. 'Summer School Student' got parked a little too close to the easel, so when I started the day it was begging me for just a little more paint. I obliged. I like it even more.

On the project blog I confessed to photo amnesia (or something like that) Still feeling the inspiration from the Kevin Macpherson book, I am trying to start or 'block in' a new painting everyday. (note that the word finish is not included in that phrase) So I started blocking in a nice summery-flower-picking-kind of painting, and I just kept going. I suppose I should get the book back out to read and see if that's legal, huh? :) In regard to the project blog, the idea is to take photos at various stages to show the painting's progress, and from that point of view--oops. But sometimes when you are on a roll, eh, you know what I mean. But the flower-picking painting---it needs more paint, and I'll try to squeeze in a few extra photos tomorrow.

Later, Cooper

Cooper acrylic painting, 'Summer School Student', February 11th, 2008

2008-02-11T12:54:00.000-08:00

Howdy everybody,

Yea, it's snowing again! You'll note I have decided to start operating under the Murphy's law pretext here, we'll see if it does any good. School closed at 1:30 today, the wind is blowing and now I need to decide if we should call off Monday night studio group. I am pretty sure we've cancelled more than we've met this winter---arrrgh. (summer's coming, summer's coming!)

Actually in a way, we are getting closer. Spencer is home to Northwest Iowa's premier nursery/garden center 'Del's Garden Center'. It's also a wonderful place at which to work, which I do during the springtime, and will start at again next week. I work in the annuals buildings where all things colorful happen!

And not to be slacking, I have a painting, quite likely finished, and ready to show you. It's got a name now: Summer School Student, it measures 17 x 21 inches, and is an acrylic painting on paper. It's chronicle of progress is logged in over at my project blog, so bop over there if you are curious as to it's stages. Otherwise, just stay here and enjoy!

Later, Cooper

hey! I almost forgot---guess what? I won a book and a gift certificate! My author friend Mary Connealy is part of a group called Seekers (http://seekerville.blogspot.com/ ) and so I apparently stuck a comment in the right place. Yea!

Book Review: Fill Your Paintings With Light And Color

2008-02-10T14:54:00.000-08:00

Howdy!

Well folks, at 2:00 this afternoon, February 10th, it was a -6 degrees in Spencer, Iowa. Lovely. (yes, that's dripping with sarcasm, probably in icicle form) Let's get on to better things! In an earlier post, I promised to write about the three artists whose work I had just read/about. I had hoped for contrast but when I went back in a second time, I realized it would be comparing apples to green beans. (an apple fresh from the orchard, or just picked green beans, steamed lightly and topped with just a bit of butter---I show no partiality!)

But for now, let's talk about the Kevin Macpherson book. Speaking of good things to eat, first glance tell you this book is chock-full of eye candy! It starts with several pages given toward the 'well equipped painter' ---pretty regular list, but with the addition of a 'thick chisel pointed black marker' for sketching. Keeps the prep sketch big and simple. "If you use a pencil you may draw things instead of shapes" (guilty!)

The book includes great demos, example: Practicing Simplicity With Figure Studies "The big shapes. Do not think separate objects. The ear, face, and neck are all one interlocking shape" Must be a good place to jump right in with that aforementioned big black marker. He works through still life and landscape demos as well, eight total. Regarding the big shapes, he gives a clear example on page #55: "Thinking simply will build your painting quickly. Look at your subject and ask what one color choice best represents that mountain, tree or sky. Imagine you are cutting the shapes out of colored paper; this helps you to think big. If you also imagine you will be charged one hundred dollars for every piece of colored paper you use, you will be very selective."!

And don't forget the paintings---page after page of beautiful paintings to look at.

I tend to have a half circle of open books on the floor around my easel while I work. Sometimes they are there for inspiration, sometimes for problem solving, sometimes it's the eye candy thing and I'm hungry! I got this copy I read from the library, but am planning on ordering my own soon. I wonder what Macpherson would say if he knew he was joining my open book circle with Renoir and Morisot? Have a great day!

Later, Cooper

article from Worthington Globe: Northwest Iowa Artisans Road Trip

2008-02-07T19:53:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

Today I have a copy of the Worthington Globe article on the A.R.T. exhibit for you. Tomorrow I have to sand walls---no you don't want to know more about that. We'll see if the current piece on the easel can get a few minutes of time as well :)

Later, Cooper

Iowa artists to show their stuff at Nobles County Art Center
BY BETH RICKERS DAILY GLOBE

WORTHINGTON — The next Northwest Iowa Artisans Road Trip won’t take place for eight months — Oct. 4-5 — but local residents can get a glimpse of what the event is all about at an exhibit opening Sunday. The Artisans Road Trip (A.R.T.) exhibit will open with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit features selected works by artists involved in A.R.T. A.R.T. is an annual tour of studios and galleries featuring more than 40 northwest Iowa artists representing seven counties. “A.R.T. invites you to travel Iowa’s scenic byways and back roads looking for one-of-a-kind art treasures,” explains the event’s Web site, http:// artisansroadtrip.com. “Artisans will offer a rare glimpse into creative processes as they demonstrate their craft in personal and unique workspaces.” One such artisan is Karen Cooper of Spencer, Iowa. Cooper moved to Spencer two years ago and participated in her first A.R.T. last October. “Not only do you meet people coming through for the Artisan Road Trip, but you get to network with a lot of artists who you wouldn’t get to meet otherwise,” she said about the experience. On Wednesday, Cooper served as courier for artisans from her area of northwest Iowa, toting their art to the Worthington gallery. In her “car pool of art,” she also brought four of her own works.

BRIAN KORTHALS/DAILY GLOBE Spencer, Iowa, artist Karen Cooper stands between two of her paintings that will be part of the Artisans Road Trip exhibit opening Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center in Worthington.

“I paint with acrylic, all on canvas,” she explained. “I use a gallery wrap-style canvas, so the edges are all finished — no need for a frame. I like strong color. When some people say ‘strong color,’ they mean a small spot of red in the middle. I really like red, so I use a lot of it.” Cooper works with a studio group of artists that meets regularly at the Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, Iowa, and they have models come in and sit for their sessions. “Whether it’s intentional or not, I’m really focusing on figures a lot lately,” she said. “I’m intrigued by all the different ways you can present them.” Other artists participating in the Worthington exhibit are: Dennis Dykema, Spirit Lake, Iowa, landscape paintings; Avis Davis, Spirit Lake, floral and abstract paintings; Hank Hall, Spirit Lake, pottery; William Lieb, Spirit Lake, metal, plastic and wood sculptures; Dan Ruf, Milford, Iowa, photographs; Sharon Sadusky, Jackson, paintings; Sue Biederman, Spencer, watercolor, pastel and pen and ink drawings; Judy Hemphill, Spencer, photographs; Barbara McGee, Peterson, Iowa, contemporary equine and Western art; Connie Hankens, glass sculptures. The exhibit will continue through February. Gallery hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 372-8245.

BRIAN KORTHALS/DAILY GLOBE A sculpture by artist William Lieb is framed in front of a painting by Avis Davis, both of Spirit Lake, Iowa. The works will be featured in an exhibit opening Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center.

Daily Painting, February 5th, 2008, Acrylic Painting "Mums On The Table"

2008-02-05T12:33:00.001-08:00

Howdy,

Welcome to my journal blog this February 5th, 2008. It's still winter today in Spencer, Iowa, but I am going to hold off the whining as the weather reports for southeast of here (Des Moines etc.) are growing ugly! But for the meantime, how about a still life painting of mums? Note the window with actual green stuff outside instead of the brown sticks that are currently masquerading outside my window as trees :)

acrylic painting 'Mums On The Table', 15 x 15 inches, acrylic on gessoed paper

I have been painting and reading about painting. What a combination, huh? I promised a few days ago to give you a written opinion of the then current book authored by Kevin Macpherson, but since have polished off an additional book by Gregg Kreutz, and a good magazine article on Margaret Dyer (from a new e-zine: www.createbetterpaintings.com) that will probably have to be included in that written opinion. It's kind of interesting to absorb three artist's 'rules of painting' in that small an amount of time. It would seem that when work from all three artists can appeal to one person (me), they are all well known artists, and they are all sharing their theories, that some of them would overlap, right? I am rereading to discover commenalities, but so far they are few!

On the project blog, I have several images of 'starts' or paintings with just the big shapes blocked in--yeah, one of the aforementioned authors recommends practicing that. One a day, was the presciption, ---kind of sounds like vitamins, and hopefully it will have a similar effect! Ok, time to get back to work.

Later, Cooper

acrylic painting 'Flower Shopping In Red', January 31st, 2008

2008-01-31T15:54:00.000-08:00

Howdy,
Well the sun is pink on the horizon. I can see it through frost free windows, not because it warmed up today, but only because the office managed to catch a few rays at just the right angle!
Hey, we think flower shopping is finished. It has an official name: 'Flower Shopping In Red'. It's chronicle of coming to be is on the project blog.
When I am at the project blog and refering to the posts at this site I claim that this is the journal of why painters do what they do (meaning this painter). Today while standing at the easel, poised and ready to break a rule, I had one of those ah-hah moments. I decided it came as a result of the bad habit I have of spreading stuff in a circle on the floor around me and in true journeling form, look:

It's called creative mess! Ok, here is the real image: 'Flower Shopping In Red' Enjoy!
Later, Cooper

'flower shopping' painting, January 31st, 2008

2008-01-31T06:50:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

Hey, the sun is shining on Spencer, Iowa this morning! Now, if I could just position it to melt the frost coating off the office windows! (summer's coming, summer's coming)

Yesterday I took a 'carpool' of art work to Worthington, Minnesota. The A.R.T. (northwest Iowa artist's road trip) group is having a show at the Nobles County art center. The art center is a nice space in the Worthington library building (407 12th street), with areas for rotating exhibits as well as a permanent collection. They seem to focus on local and regional art and have some really interesting pieces to look at. Also of note to those of you who reside in that area of the country, there is an opening reception this Sunday, February 3rd, from 2:00 - 4:00. So what a great opportunity: you can return your overdue library books and look at some interesting art all in one trip :)

This blog entry title alludes to painting and I have been at it more than recent posts would allow you to believe. The 'flower shopping' painting (not it's real name we assume) is becoming more interesting, despite it all. I have a Kevin Macpherson book home from the library, and when you contrast that with a Margaret Dyer tutorial from an online magazine, that I have now read at least ten times, well, yeah, despite it all. I am eager to go spread some more paint on this thing, so I will postpone telling you about the library influences, but not too long.

So, here's 'flower shopping' stage five. And I just realized this blog has no mention of stages one through four, oops. They are posted here. Time to go paint now!

Later, Cooper

Thursday night studio painting

2008-01-28T08:14:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

So it's January 28th, that means Monday, and I've finally made it to a space to upload last Thursday's studio painting for you. We don't even want to think about what that means for this week's schedule :)

About the model, he had his right foot propped up on a milk crate, and for some reason, every time I put a bit of paint on it, it get's larger, which has created a rather bizarre look to the whole thing. Yes, I suppose it would help to actually paint the crate (and put a floor under the poor guy---what a novel concept, eh?) But I am actually feeling a bit bizarre myself this morning, so I believe this guy will get propped up in the corner of the studio so I can look at it now and then and be reminded that imperfection can sometimes be curiously interesting. Have a lovely day!

Later, Cooper

Late Lunch At The Wharf, acrylic painting, January 25th, 2008

2008-01-25T15:54:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody,

If you have been reading my weather whining, and watching the weather-results summer wharf painting, well then, I have an update for you.

The temperature warmed up to about 18 degrees today. The 15 degree-minimum-dog and I went out for a good, long walk. I wore the embarrassing snowmobile suit and it was almost too warm, amazing!

And the wharf painting has a name, but no signature yet. But if you bop over to the project blog, and read that chronicle of this painting, :) we are probably calling it done. So here it is, 'Late Lunch At The Wharf', acrylic painting on heavy gessoed paper, 21 x 17 inches.

Later, Cooper

Summer in the studio! acrylic painting, the wharf

2008-01-23T12:37:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody!

If they choose one of those 'sister cities' for Spencer, Iowa, I'm pretty sure it will be up past the Arctic Circle. At noon, we were parked at 6 pathetic degrees and counting. Unfortunately, we are counting down. Who needs a northwest clipper when it's already 6 degrees?!

Bah humbug, I'm painting summer today. This painting is lolling at a lovely 87 degrees, yes! I will upload the most recent photo for you, but there are two more on the project blog as well.

Later, Cooper

daily paint, acrylic painting, January 21st, 2008

2008-01-22T12:35:00.000-08:00

Howdy!

It's bloomin' cold in this town today! (Spencer, Iowa) I have a warm painting to show you, so hopefully that will help. I finished this (sort of) this morning, January 21st, 2008. It was started at open studio (Pearson Lakes Art Center) last Thursday night. It seemed like a good piece to begin on this morning as I have been paint-free for three days.

We had a great trip to Colorado. The Denver Museum of Art, a great little Greek restaurant, two questionable card games (Brent won both of them), but best of all, time with our Colorado kids. They have a new house, and it was nice to see them there---it's my THE MOM-hangup, where I always feel better if I can visualize them in their space:) And a very nice one it is, they even have a nifty little enclosed hot tub in the back yard. We opened the side doors so we could watch it snow while we mellowed in all that nice hot water:) Whoever dreamed up such a crazy concept was really a genius. Ok, here's the painting, acrylic painting on canvas, 16 x 20 inches, Studio Model Reading.

Later, Cooper

Painting

2008-01-18T10:59:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody,

I just stopped by to let you know I am NOT in hibernation, although the temperature is Spencer, Iowa today would encourage that pastime. We are settled at a balmy 1 degree, and that's with the sun shining! Ollie and I tried to go for a run yesterday. Ten year old Golden Retrievers are only good to about 1o degrees, I've discovered. We only got about three blocks before his legs cramped and we had to mince our way back home. sigh (summer's coming, summer's coming)

On the painting front, if you want to bop over to my project blog, that will tell you the whole story, with photos, no less. In a nutshell, I spent the whole week on a canvas that last night was removed from the stretcher and put in the trash. Sorry, but sometimes these things happen. When your thinking and brush work in tandem, and one of them gets muddled---well, there you are. At any rate, the junior and I are flying to Longmont, via Denver this afternoon. We have not been to Brian and Lynn's (eldest son and daughterinlaw) for too long. Today is the day, but the bad news is Wayne can't go. I will take him out there this summer:)

Later, Cooper

new webzine for artists

2008-01-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

Good morning,

I am stopping by the 'office machinery' quick before going in to paint. By the way, the view out my office windows this morning is stunning. As they are second floor windows, I see treetops and rooftops, and today they have a very gentle covering of fresh white snow. By now you know I could live quite well without the stuff, but today I am here to say that this edition is lovely!

First, I want to share that I am almost now permanently shaped like our office chair, as most of yesterday was spent working on my first 'artist newsletter'. It will be an email version, and if you'd like to see a copy, add yourself to the email subscribers on my website. Easy to do, just click on the 'email newsletter' on the front page menu.

Second, I want to bring your attention to a new webzine for artists. It's located at http://createbetterpaintings.com/ . I will confess to seeing the advance notice several weeks ago, putting my name in, and telling myself I can always cancel after seeing the first edition. So guess what, I just visited paypal to make the subscription official. I was extremely pleased with the first issue. Five featured artists include Mary Alice Brackman, Margaret Dyer, Susan Lyon, Misty Martin, and Robert Moore, including tutorials-yes! A person could spend a lot of time there! I recommend you stop by to see it.

Ok, time to go spread some paint around!

Later, Cooper

daily paint, January 9th, 2008, cafe scene painting 'Casual Dining'

2008-01-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

Greetings,

January 9th, 2008 is a cool one in Spencer, Iowa. The weather guys told me 19 degrees this morning, but we're headed for summer, right?!

I signed the cafe scene painting, and it has a name as well. 'Casual Dining' It's 15 x 15 inches, an acrylic painting on heavy gessoed paper. And here (hopefully) is the link to it's beginning look.

Later, Cooper

I've added it to my website as well, available there with paypal.

http://karencooperpaintings.com/

life drawing group

2008-01-08T08:38:00.000-08:00

Good morning and happy Tuesday to you!

I decided to stop by quick before heading in to paint. Our life drawing group met at studio last night after a month long hiatus. It was good to see painting friends again, and we had a good session of work as well. We work for about two hours, with the time normally broken into segments of quick gesture drawings (one or two minutes on each pose), a couple of poses held slightly longer (five or ten minutes) and then the remainder of the session is spent on one long pose. The gesture drawings are designed to loosen up and focus, but ironically, they sometimes turn out better than the long pose. Last night was one of those nights:) Here are a two minute and a ten minute, ----the long pose has already been 'gifted' to the garbage man!

Now it's time to go sling some daily paint.

Later, Cooper

daily paint, January 7th, 2008

2008-01-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Happy Monday! Our painting group is actually going to paint tonight, yea! We basically took off the month of December, which seemed like a long time. One of our group who has been out with nasty health issues, is feeling well enough today to try for at least part of a session's work. That is really good news for all of us!

Today's daily paint still went to the cafe scene, but it's beginning to feel like the home stretch. We will see what tomorrow brings.

Later, Cooper

daily paint, January 3rd, 2008---caucus day!

2008-01-03T15:25:00.000-08:00

Greetings all!

So Iowa gets to set the country straight tonight :) Yeah, right. I am planning on being a good little Iowan and doing the caucus thing. My caucusing will be of the preventative nature, and that will be enough said about that, however, you may read between the lines if you wish:)

The weather did abate slightly today. Ollie and I again waited till midafternoon to get out, but instead of the ugly snowmobile suit, I wore running shoes. Yea! Actually they are one of the sizes of soccer cleats that Brent wore for about one season before outgrowing, so I adopted them. Hey, he didn't wear them long enough to do any major damage to them, and they do well on snow/slush.

I painted all day today but didn't get far. And I'm already annoyed with a couple things that will need fixed right away in the morning. Why is it I see things like that better after they've been photo'd and onto the screen? Sheesh.

Later, Cooper

daily paint, January 2nd, 2008

2008-01-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

Hey there,

So do we suppose it's going to warm up any time soon? Ollie and I timed our 'daily' for the warmest hour we could find, but that wasn't much. The resident 16 year old is embarrassed when THE MOM wears the old snowmobile suit to walk the dog, but hey, today I valued warmth over the fashion sensabilities of a high school junior:) We are talking minus 4 degrees in Spencer, Iowa today folks.

We are trying to get back on schedule, and tomorrow Brent heads back to school, so I should be interruption-free! I managed to squeeze some painting time in anyway. Today's daily paint was spread on and about a painting started last week. The lady in red was 'a bit snooty of gaze' today, so it absorbed quite a bit of time to 'find her' in a better mood. (yes, those are all valid art terms) Okay, and now uploading today's view:

Later, Cooper

daily paint, December 31st, 2007,

2007-12-31T15:14:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year's Eve!

It is a clear COLD one in Spencer, Iowa. The icicles hanging from the eave outside the office window are NOT melting.

So, I am aware that my last post promised you that I would be working on the cafe scene painting. We-eeee-ll, somehow I ended up getting involved in a project to remove seven layers of wallpaper, two of them painted, from the walls of a bedroom. Ugh. If you are ever in the mood to change your wallpapered walls, strip the old stuff off FIRST! That will insure that whoever you someday sell your house to, will not be speaking of you as we are of the previous owners of our house:) The good news is, about one more good work day should complete the nasty task.

Needing a break from the aforementioned task, I spent the afternoon in the studio. Surprisingly, it was not the cafe scene that jumped up on the easel, it was the park painting that I had started many days ago. Here is a first look at the start of the painting, and now to upload today's daily paint: 'Spread A Quilt On The Grass'

Later, Cooper

Daily paint, December 27th, 2007

2007-12-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

I am looking out the office windows at icicles that are very likely four feet long. And I suppose I should say that's a guess, because I can't see the top or bottom of most of them! Winter, Spencer, Iowa style! And we have had fog! I don't think that is traditional northwest Iowa winter, but it certainly is beautiful when it freezes on the trees!

I have a 'daily paint' image for you this morning, but it is actually yesterday's episode. I am going to preface it with excuses :) It's the span of time between Christmas and New Year's where everything is off schedule. My husband did not go to work on Monday morning, he went on Wednesday. Our University of Iowa daughter is here and she is facilitating a jigsaw puzzle marathon. Is it possible to take every Charles Wysocki puzzle off the shelf and put it together again? Our high school junior just told me that leftover 'strawberry pretzel salad' is a nutritous breakfast! The rest of the kids are supposedly back in their proper places, but I imagine I should check in with them just to make sure!

At any rate, why don't we just go ahead and call this whole week a holiday? Yes, we need to go to the studio, office, barn, coal mine, etc. (wherever we regularly work) but when we get there it should be like free time---do whatever you want, put the 'mandatory' list of to-do away, and get out the 'wouldn't this be fun if I had the time' list. I think it's a concept worth thinking about, but I do agree that it would probably screw up the national economy big time.

So here's the daily paint from yesterday, and I'm sure you can tell that I was not working from the 'mandatory to-do list' We'll see how it goes today!

Later, Cooper

Daily paint, December 26th, 2007, journal

2007-12-26T04:03:00.000-08:00

Good morning to you!

After a wonderful Christmas time, I am back and in catch-up mode! I just read the Alyson Stanfield newsletter at art biz blog where she suggested writing a list of 'things accomplished' this year. Wow, what an upper it is to do that! It is way too easy for signs of progress to get hidden under the to-do list of the day!

So a couple of hilights:

1. This blog! Started in February of last year, I've tried to keep it as a journaling blog, of which I am now glad. There's a lot of progress showing between 'shades of red' (the first entry) and now.
2. Teaching a class--whew, talking about leaving your comfort zone! True, it was team-teaching, two pros and me---the rookie, but it was successful.
3. Two friends, from a studio group that I paint with, and I had a showing of our work from that group. I have shown my work before, but there was a special feeling of accomplishment with this show. In part, I think it was due to a sense of committment to progress in painting figurative work.
4. A commission completed that also took me way out of my comfort zone. I stuggled with doubt up until about the last month of work, and then it took on it's own life and just happened. I was thrilled with how it looked hung in it's place!
5. I have a website! Yeah, me, a website! And the fact that I now know how to hyperlink to it also is kind of amazing to me:) Start up was in April, and first painting sold was July. Aah, progress!
6. And while #1-5 are all signs of progress that made me feel good to put on this list, number 6 is the biggest. I look at paintings done a year ago, and paintings just recently completed and I see progress. And so, back to the studio I go, because something tells me it needs to continue.

Later, Cooper

painted late 2006, One Red Zinnia:

painted late in 2007, 'Reading In A Red Dress'

daily paint, secrets, December 18th, 2007

2007-12-18T17:23:00.001-08:00

Howdy!

Yes, I have been painting today, but it's a secret so no, you can't see it. After all, Christmas is just a few days off.

However, as I spent a good share of the morning threatening this pile of electronics with the end of it's life, I will show you what came of that. The worst part is, all the pieces were shipped to me by the host, I just had to make them save and print correctly---it's a long story--how about you just read the results:

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You Are Invited To A House Concert!

Beethoven, Chopin and a Little Bit of
Jazz

Pianist, Abbie Cooper

Abbie Cooper began studying piano in 2nd grade in a little town in Nebraska. After her family moved to Iowa, she began accompanying as a junior high student at West Lyon and continued throughout high school where she was involved in everything in the music department from band to choir to high school musicals. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Music Education with emphasis in piano and voice at Wartburg College where she studied with Dr. Ted Reuter. She also was a member of Castle Singers, a vocal jazz ensemble, and toured the US and Australia with this group. After graduating, Abbie moved to Orange County, CA, where she taught private and small group voice and piano classes and served as staff accompanist at Vanguard University. In 2006, she completed her Master's degree in piano performance at Azusa Pacific University where she studied with Dr. Robert Sage. One year later, Abbie is back in the Midwest and working towards her Doctoral degree in piano pedagogy and performance at The University of Iowa. Her favorite composers include Brahms and Albeniz.

Date: Sunday January 6th 4pm (doors open at 3:30)

Place: Robert & Lynn Swan’s, 3181 310th Ave. Dickens, IA (From Spencer’s South “T”, 9 mi. East, 4 mi. North on N 14

Coffee, cider and snacks provided, feel free to bring a beverage of your choice and a snack to share.

Suggested donation, $10-$15 which goes entirely to the artist

Please R.S.V.P. http://us.f637.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=swanbl@ruthventel.com or 712-837-4381

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Yeah, just a little braggin' going on here:)

Later, Cooper