Tree Trunk in Snow

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Wishing you all Peace, Kindness, and Joy this Holiday Season, and Happy New Year! I'm so thankful for all the views and comments on this blog, via email, as well as on Facebook over the years. How great to be part of this big worldwide community of artists and artisans. I am totally humbled by you all! SEE YOU IN 2018!!

"Sacred Bodies"

Goose Creek Studio and Custom Framing in Bedford, VA, is the place to be on Friday, November 10th from 5 to 8 PM. A new show is opening entitled "SACRED BODIES." I will have six new pieces art on display for this thought provoking exhibit. Come see my new work as well as the other fabulous artists I'm so fortunate to be showing with.

Punk Egret

"Punk Egret"

12 x 6 Oil on Archival Board 

A totally cool hairdo for this egret who is possibly going to a trendy club this weekend   Hope you have a great weekend, too!!

JASPER

"JASPER"

Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

A friend posted a photo of her adorable dog a while ago, and it definitely looked like a painting to me. She was kind enough to let me play with it, so here are the results. It was a perfect warm up before tackling the commissions I'm doing.




As always, thank you for looking at my blog.

Christmas 2017 Commissions

It's hard to believe, but Christmas, 2017, will be here before you know it. I've completed two Christmas commissions already and have one waiting, so now is the time to order. I will take orders until the week after Thanksgiving. Because the paintings are in oil, it takes time for them to dry and be ready. If interested, just email me at shelleykoop@gmail.com or FB message me.

The Morris Farm

"Morris Farm"

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

An experiment using the two color palette on a landscape this time. I actually like it    I really couldn't go too far wrong because this property I painted is so beautiful. Now, believe it or not, I'm working on a 36" x 36" piece of work. I'm half way done and still enjoying painting, so that's a good thing. I'll post it when it's done.

Sunflowers and a Bee

"Sunflowers and a Bee"

7 x 5 Oil on Archival Board 

One lone bee has these sunflowers all to herself. From Johnson's Farm in Bedford, VA. A beautiful day with beautiful scenery.

If interested in purchasing, please email me at shelleykoop@gmail.com, and thank you as always for your interest in my work :-)  

Man Contemplating

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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A new day, a new painting. This one just seemed to flow off the brush. Only two tubes of paint used and I am thrilled with the outcome. Thank you, Don Fiddler, for allowing me to use your wonderful photo.. You are a photographer, extraordinaire!!

Young Girl "Remembering Trayvon"

12 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

From a wonderful exhibit at the Taubman Museum in Roanoke, VA; a young girl about the same age as Trayvon Martin here, studying the image. Alice Beasley created this fiber portrait which reminds the viewer of the "senseless killing of African American young lives." This piece and others are for an upcoming exhibit at Goose Creek Studio and Custom Framing in Bedford, VA entitled "Sacred Bodies". More info to follow.

12 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

NOT FOR SALE

Avery, really excited about a treat coming her way. A birthday gift for my wonderful daughter-in-law. Remember when a snack would be the best thing ever? Actually I still make that face when someone puts a petit four in front of me…:-)

TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN FLORIDA, PLEASE STAY SAFE! My thoughts are with all Floridians right now.

Hope

10 x 10 Oil on Archival Board  

An iconic image by Shepard Fairey is the focus of my newest addition to the museum pieces I have been doing. This one will be auctioned off at a fundraiser for Leslie Cockburn who is running for the US House of Representatives for Virginia's 5th District. The event will be held on September 22, 2017, at Goose Creek Studio and Custom Framing in Bedford, VA.  More info will follow.

Unleashed Passion and Joy

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board  

This is the first in a new series of museum paintings. One of my favorite paintings by Picasso, "Two Women Running on the Beach", and one of my favorite museum patrons from the MOMA, together in my imagination. The perception of sacred bodies in all forms...

Summer Scene

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board  

I needed to get back into painting after a short intermission. My Daughter-in-Law visited us for a while and it was wonderful! It felt good to take a break and focus on different things. This was a quick study just to get my brush working again. A little boy fighting the incoming lake waves with his small boat. He was persistent, I must say!!

Good Morning Rural America

8 x 10 Oil on Archival Board  

I have always loved seeing lit windows at dusk or early in the morning. I picture people settling in for the night or beginning their day. The cozy warmth of the security of being "home" and protected. For those of us who have that, we are lucky human beings. I ache for those who don't!

Moon Over Smith Mountain Lake

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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A beautiful night to sit and dream...

Art Show Couture

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

A hot, summer day at the Roanoke Sidewalk Art Show. This artist certainly dressed for the occasion and was kind enough to allow me to photograph her.

Bella - Commission

6 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

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Here's Bella!  So adorable in her pink and white bows.  A pleasure to paint!

Benefits Supervisor Resting

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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Another painting for the show at Goose Creek Studio. Lucian Freud is one of my favorite artists, so this one I totally enjoyed working on. I plan on doing another, larger, painting depicting his work. Can't wait to start! Painting his nudes is like sculpting with pigment.

"WAR ZONE"

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Painted for the show "Narratives of Opposition" at Goose Creek Studio in Bedford, VA.  "Guernica" painted by Pablo Picasso in 1937, depicting the horrors of war and as a result it has become an anti-war symbol and a reminder of the tragedies of war.  A woman at the MOMA taking it all in. The painting is large and powerful.

MY INTERPRETATION OF BANKSY'S INTERPRETATION OF "THE GLEANERS"

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board  

One of my 10 pieces painted for "Art of the Resistance," a show coming up this weekend beginning with a poetry slam Friday night and art shows on Saturday and Sunday. If you are in the Bedford, VA area, please stop by and say hello.

Calm and Peaceful

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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Mid week in summer here at the lake is usually quiet, calm, and peaceful. I always enjoy seeing the sailboats, kayaks and canoes go drifting by. Not many sounds, just an occasional muffled voice from across the lake somewhere or a bird singing. I hope this painting expresses that feeling of peace to you all. Happy Monday!

Directional Pull

6 x 12 Oil on Archival Board
  

SOLD

Early morning fisherman hoping for a catch. Nothing but the bird chirping and the every so slight waves lapping. Morning at it's best!

Easter Island in Manhattan

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

If you ever get to NYC, the lobby of the Grand Hyatt hotel is definitely a destination. We stayed there recently and I have to say, I really didn't want to leave. Just sitting there near "Awilda" and "Chloe", two huge sculptures created by Jaume Plensa, is quite wonderful. While researching these pieces, I came across Jaume Plensa's quote: "Awilda and Chloe" are metaphors for the diversity and similarity of all people…(they) pay homage to anonymous people in motion." I'm not sure whether this is Awilda or Chloe, and I certainly saw lots of anonymous people in motion!

Avery in Profile

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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Inquisitive and oh so pretty in her pink dress…Avery!  

Picasso and the Women

12 x 9 Oil on Archival Board  

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A woman at MOMA studying "Les Demoiselles d' Avignon". It was originally titled "The Brothel of Avignon" according to research. Picasso painted this large piece in 1907, during his Cubism period, depicting 5 nude prostitutes from a brothel on Avinyo Street in Barcelona. The faces of the women were inspired by Iberian sculpture and African masks. This was an interesting painting to try to capture. I learned a lot about Cubism and the shapes and jagged lines involved.

Man at Work

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

This painting seemed to flow from my brush. It's very exciting to see something that you immediately feel will make a good painting. Those seem to be the ones that work. I'm really happy with this one! This man was such a good sport to allow me to paint him.

Gentle Giant

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board  

I met this dog when I was on my way to the post office. He stopped everyone in their tracks. What a beautiful Newfoundland he was, scarf and all. He deserved a portrait for sure.

"Matthew"

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board  

I posted an oil sketch of Matthew (a man who was putting in our new tile) a while ago, and finally got around to doing his portrait. He has such an interesting face and was kind enough to allow me to paint him, beard and all. He told me his wife was making him shave it off….

Gonzo

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Meet Gonzo, a Golden Doodle, who has been trained impeccably by Lesleigh Cook.  Sometimes you  meet a dog, and they look at you and you fall in love instantly.  That's how I feel about Gonzo.  He has a look that is hard to describe.  I tried to capture it here.  Very serious, ready for action, yet playful as well.  He is a therapy dog and whatever family was fortunate enough to get him should feel very blessed.

Girl in an Easter Bonnet

 8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board 

SOLD

What a better way to say "Happy Easter" than to paint an adorable child in a very large hat?! When I paint a portrait, after sketching in the shape of the face I work on the eyes. If I can nail that part of the face, I feel like the painting has become alive. This is beautiful Ellery Ann. HAPPY EASTER/PASSOVER EVERYONE!

Less is More

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

From my Saturday painting session at the Old Jail Hill Art Space at Goose Creek Studio, here is a quick study of Matthew. I rarely do oil sketches, but I loved the process…and I didn't have to lug all my tubes of paint. Only black and white. A revelation!

Pug - Commission

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board 

SOLD

Want a biscuit? Want a belly rub? Want to play? Not sure what that look is, but whatever, it definitely gets your attention. A real cutie for sure.

Morning, After the Rain

6 x 12 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Lots of rain recently and some beautiful clouds to try to capture.  I was able to catch this scene just as the sun was beginning to come through those clouds.  Painted plain air and really fast to try to nail down what I was seeing before it disappeared, which it did in an instant!

Elegance - Commission

12 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

I was asked to do two portraits of this beautiful woman in different poses.  This one was my favorite.  A challenge, but what fun to do!  She looks so much like Lady Di, doesn't she?

"Lucy"

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Just look at that attentive face! Ready for anything. Dogs definitely do have personalities, and even from a photograph, you can usually see their "inner self" shining through. At least I can when I'm painting them. Lucy was such fun to do. A beautiful dog. Someone once asked me how I got dogs to sit for a painting session….I still smile when I think of that!!

Aquarium Fascination

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD 

First visit to the aquarium, and total fascination.  The lighting was a challenge as well as the skin tones under those lights.  I love to take on these issues to see if I can pull them off and give them life.  I'm pretty satisfied here.

Doggie Day Care

6 x 12 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD  

A quick little painting from a photo by artist extraordinaire Pat Dougherty of her adorable Mo and Mo's daycare buddies at rest time. We used to have rest time at a camp I went to, but we didn't get cushy beds…

"Jax" - A Commission

12 x 12 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

I've been so lucky to have the opportunity to paint these wonderful animals. Jax has such a soulful face..and that shiny, chocolate coat. A big thank you to Jax's family :=) 

"Here's Looking at You!"

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

NFS

This is a companion piece to go with Tallulah's "tongue" painting. She complained about me posting the other one, so I did one that has more dignity :-) Hope she's satisfied!!

YUM…Good Peanut Butter!

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

When I go to paint with my Saturday artist friends at Goose Creek Studio and Custom Framing, I try to think of fun projects so that when visitors come to see us they have something a little different to see.  Tallulah makes this easy!  Here's one I worked on this past Saturday.  I got the benefit of input for that weird underside of her tongue from the fabulous artists who join me in the studio.  One would think a tongue wouldn't be difficult.  Well…This one was, and here it is in all it's glory :-)

A Puzzle of Dachshunds

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

This painting was a study in what goes where.  Which ear belongs to which dog…Which paw belongs to which dog…and so on.  It took a while, but was worth it for me in the long run.  Two beautiful Long Haired Dachshunds painted at Goose Creek Studio and Custom Framing with my painting buds….Come by on Saturdays, if you are in the Bedford, VA area and see us.

Sammi

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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This is another commission from Christmas. A very happy dog with a great smile! I'm smiling, too, because we are experiencing Spring in late February. In the 70's again today and all the trees and flowers are blooming. Sneeze, Sneeze….

Milo Bear

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Another commission done and shipped!  I get such joy painting these faces :-)
Happy Monday!

BEE Mine

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

A little bee to sweeten your day :-)  Painted with my artsy friends at Goose Creek Studio last Saturday. Come by each Saturday and browse the fabulous artwork that Goose Creek has to offer and stop upstairs at Old Jail Hill Art Space to say hello and see us painting.

Brooklyn's Bath Time

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Here is Brooklyn who totally enjoys life under all circumstances, whether it be dry or wet.  That's how I intend to live my life…minus the tennis ball.  She is a dog you fall in love with as soon as you see her.