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.

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…

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.

Black and White

8 x 10 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

"Waste Not..Want Not," a saying my mother used to use.  Well, I guess it's finally caught up with me.  Using up the paint on my palette from another painting and keeping it simple, this is the result.  I wanted to get the large black cow coming out at the viewer.  Just a quick, sketchy, fun one!  Now back to the commissions….

Just Plain Nosey

8 x 10 Oil on Archival Board

The third in what seems to have become a small series of cow paintings.  Who knew cows could be so friendly?!  What this cow was really interested in was not my scintillating conversation, but the bread that was being fed to them.  I was told that the bread is "cow cocaine"….What a great day this was!!

Presidential Look-Alike

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board  

I was lucky enough to get to photograph a friend's Scottish Highlander cows recently.  This particular cow turned towards me and scowled, and I instantly saw something familiar :-)  Beady eyes, that scowl, the comb over, a mouth full of hay, orange color…Well, you get the idea!  I don't usually put anything political out there, but this was too good to pass up…and very timely :-(

Fitzhugh and Jazzy

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Here's another Christmas commission to post.  I must say, I was really lucky to have so many adorable dogs, cats, and horses to paint this year.  I am so thankful to have the opportunity to get to know, through paint, these animals.

Brotherly Love

SOLD

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

Meet Desi and Jack, two wild and crazy rescues who have found a wonderful home...Lucky dogs! This was a difficult painting to do because both dogs are so black and blend in together in one mass with two heads.  I had to vary the tone and texture to describe what part went with which dog :-)  A total learning experience.  Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks....

Chair Share

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

It's tough to be so big and be intimidated by a little Frenchie...Apparently this was the only way Clarisse could "share" the chair.  I painted this a little looser than usual, but I think the subject matter dictated what to do.  I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to do these commissions and I appreciate each and every one of them!

Lynda and Ally,Taking Five

6 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

 

SOLD

This is what a Standard Dachshund and a Chiweenie (half Dachshund, half Chihuahua) do when they need time to chill.  It's a tough life!  Lucky little rescues. Who could resist those faces.  Thank you, Lynda Duke, for the opportunity to paint them :-)

Maycie and Parker

SOLD

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

Two beautiful King Charles Spaniels ready to get groomed by the most wonderful Lesleigh Cook at Golden Meadows.  I love to drop Tallulah off to get groomed or boarded because I get to see her incredibly obedient Goldens...and Gonzo (a Doodle) who only has eyes for her :-).  It is hard not to leave there without inspiration and, of course, the hope that one day Lula will be as obedient as her dogs.  I'm particularly honored that Maycie and Parker's family purchased this little painting.

February Went to the Dogs

Well, February came and went...Mostly to the dogs.  Here is a sample of some of the commissions that I completed.  I'm pleased to say, everyone was happy with them.  Me, too :-) 

I'm currently working on another dog commission, and have begun a large project which I will share soon.  It is taking a lot of my time right now, and I'm actually thinking about it day and night.  I wake up in the middle of the night with a great idea for it, but forget it by the time I get up in the morning.  I will have to keep a pencil and paper by the bed....Of course, I'll bet some of those wonderful thoughts will look pretty dumb in the light of day.  I'm so thankful to be able to dwell on painting methods, even in the middle of the night.

Bo

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

 

SOLD

What a honor to be able to paint such a beautiful Yellow Lab!  I've been extremely happy to be getting so many commissions lately.  I work diligently to bring life to a piece of work on a two dimensional surface.  It's not always easy, but oh so rewarding.

Callie and Gabby

SOLD

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This is Gabby and Callie dressed in their Christmas finest.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed doing this commission (OK...I just did!).  I think these are two of the most beautiful Goldens I have seen.  What I enjoyed so much was trying to define two totally different dogs with different personalities, and not just painting twins. 

Three Beauties

SOLD

 

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

Three faces, three different personalities, all totally focused on something going on outside.  Painting dogs seems to have a really positive effect.  It's like a mini vacation.  Every stroke brings the subject closer and closer.  It's really a very odd sensation.  I especially love the older Golden on the right.  He just has such a wise look about him, and he seemed to be studying me as I painted :-)



The Snuggle

SOLD

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

These are the same Labs that I painted in "Patience."  The puppy was really playful in that one, but here there is a really touching closeness between the two.  That snuggle and the mother's look seems to define what we think of as a human kind of love, but I think it exists in the animal world, too.   

Marching to His Own Drum

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

I think the puppy on the left has a problem with following the crowd.  That is a good thing in my opinion, and if I were choosing one of these dogs, I would definitely choose "Mr. Butt."  He certainly would have a mind of his own and would be much more fun.  He would be the one leading the anti-everything marches and going his own way.  A challenge for his humans, but so worth it!  These puppies are from JayHawk Labs in New Hampshire.  My cousin and her husband raise and show beautiful award winning Labs. Check them out on the web.

Narcissism on Swan Lake

8 x 8 Oil On Gessobord
SOLD

I can remember my parents warning about swans being mean when we used to feed the ducks.  We would save up our stale bread and feed the ducks everyday at a lake on Long Island.  I was always on the lookout for an attack swan coming at me and would have nightmares about it.  Then I fell in love with the movie "Hans Christian Andersen" with Danny Kaye.  He sang that great song about the ugly duckling turning into a beautiful swan, and now every time I see one that song plays in my head.  They are really quite beautiful and so graceful.

Calf and a Half

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

There are a lot of cows around this part of Virginia, so I thought I should at least attempt to paint a few every now and then.  This particular cow gave me a look that said "What are YOU looking at?"  Despite that, I did give her long, luxurious eye lashes and a rather pretty nose with a spot of red.  Her positioning behind the other calf might have something to do with the look.  Who knows what the other calf had eaten for lunch?!