Christmas Adrift - Smith Mountain Lake

6 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

Christmas Cards Available/ Sold Out!

Painting SOLD

New Christmas painting that I just finished, and cards available with or without greetings inside. Now is the time to think about your Holiday cards before the Thanksgiving rush next week. If you are interested in ordering cards, just email me at shelleykoop@gmail.com. They are printed on heavy, quality card stock - envelopes included. You can get as many or as few as you'd like.

Red Buds in Spring

SOLD

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

I used to pass by this scene while doing my morning walk. That red bud tree is now gone, and after painting it years ago in pastel, I thought I'd paint it again in oils. It still is a beautiful view, but I do miss looking past the buds at the lake. (Sorry about the photo. It's very washed out for some reason).

Smith Mountain Lake - Long View

6 x 8 Oil on Archival Board 

SOLD

This painting started out as a rural, plein air scene. It was done in just sepia and white...A sketch, really. It sat in my studio for months in a stack of what I call my "Uh Oh" paintings :-)  I kept looking at it and thinking there were parts I really loved...So, I reconfigured it and here it is! It's definitely out of my "Uh Oh" stack. I love it!

Lake Fun

"Lake Fun" - SOLD

6 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

I see more and more kayakers here on our part of the lake, and this particular day was perfect. Not too hot, and not too many boats and jet skis.

Moon Over Smith Mountain Lake

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

A beautiful night to sit and dream...

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!

Cloud Study, Smith Mountain Lake

6 x 12 Oil on Archival Board

We here in Virginia have been having lots of pop up storms mixed with bright sun lately.  The weather changes too fast for me to grab my little easel and set it up to record what's going on, so I decided to set up my go-to palette in advance and keep the easel by the window.  I'm glad I did.  The clouds the other day were awesome, and I got this little study down quickly.  I was thinking I would work on it after the initial try, but I'm leaving it alone.  I really think it portrays that moment in time.

Green Canoe on Smith Mountain Lake

9 x 12 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Smith Mountain Lake is so diverse due to its huge size.  We live on the Gills Creek portion of the lake which doesn't have the distant mountains.  Actually it does, but one has to stand on the roof of the house to see it :-)  This is the Blackwater part which has a totally different feel.  I love the ins and outs of the land.  The lake has 500 miles of shoreline, so there's plenty of places to paint without repeating too often.  The trick here is to sketch your painting in quickly, because the colors and shadows change if you look away for a minute.  If interested in purchasing, please email me at shelleykoop@gmail.com. 

Have a great weekend!

Quiet Paddling on Smith Mountain Lake

SOLD

 

12 x 12 Oil on Archival Board

There are so many ways to enjoy Smith Mountain Lake, and this is one of my favorites. Painting the reflection of the kayak and the multitude of colors and shades was the best part.  Mixing, Mixing, Mixing....My new-found joy! 

Whitecaps on Smith Mountain Lake

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

 

SOLD

A windy day plein air from my studio window.  There was only one sailboat at the time, so I took the liberty of adding two more.  Wouldn't it be great if life was like that? ... If something doesn't appeal to you, just conjure up what does.  

Bent Tree at Smith Mountain Lake

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

 

SOLD

This is one of my favorite views when I'm doing my morning walk.  When we first moved here to the Lake, this tree was tall and straight.  Over the years it has become a little bent and has lost some of its branches...sort of like me, I suppose.  Thankfully, I still have my branches :-)

Quiet Smith Mountain Lake (Plein Air - Commission)

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

 

SOLD

The weather has been so perfect this week, and here is another plein air piece (number 2 of the four commissions).  The light and the reflections of the sky on the water were pretty exceptional when I painted this.  It changed quickly, so I was glad I could get it down.

Spring Greens on Smith Mountain Lake (plein air)

 

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

 

SOLD

It's always good to move away from something you are doing (as in my series of museum patrons) for a change of pace.  Not only is it freeing to move the paint around in a less controlled way, but it brings that much more enjoyment when I move back to the series.  Looking out at the landscape before me, I had a wonderful time mixing those greens.  The weather was perfect and it was a great way to spend the day.  I will be doing three more commissions based on the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding mountains.  Let's hope there is no more snow!

The Rescue

6 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

 

NFS

On Labor Day, we were out on our boat with friends enjoying the day when suddenly an alarm went off and our motor died.  As we sat bobbing around we discussed what we would do.  It was late in the day, and there weren't many people on the lake at that time.  We were about to call Sea Tow, when a really nice man came by on his jet ski with his beautiful dog on the back.  He asked if we needed help and towed us all the way back to our dock.  His dog didn't seem the least bit concerned, even though it was hot and there wasn't much of a breeze.  What amazes me the most is what wonderful people live here at Smith Mountain Lake.  Actually, all over.  With all we hear about the horrible people in this world and the horror they cause, it is nice to remember that the majority of people are good and kind, and just trying to live a decent life. 

Splashing In

SOLD

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

Can you feel Lula's joy?  Water, freedom, fun, a red ball, someone to throw it for her...Ahhh, Life is Good :-)

Tallulah, The Water Dog

6 x 8  Oil on Archival Board

 To Purchase, Click Here or Email me at shelleykoop@gmail.com

Here's Tallulah, swimmer extraordinaire.... She never went near the water except to chase the geese, and even then she wouldn't go in, only run up to the edge of the water and come back in.  The geese knew her and would jump back into the water and just wait until she returned to the house.  They were totally shocked when she bounded down and jumped in right after them.  We were afraid she would keep on going, (which she did for quite a while) but thankfully returned to the shore.  We've created a monster, but we so love to watch her joy when she swims.  This is the first in what I think will be a series of swimming paintings.  I hope you don't get bored :-)

Smith Mountain Lake View

16 x 20 Oil on Gessobord

 

SOLD

This is a larger format than I usually paint, and I must admit that I enjoyed doing a "big" painting.  I attacked it with large brushes and lots of paint.  It shows up a little darker here than it really is, but hopefully you can get the idea.  The lovely woman who contacted me asked me to paint the view from her lake house. This is one of two commissioned pieces. It's actually hard to see the detail here.  I might try to take some detail photos of it and post them.  One of the best things about painting commissions is that I meet really great people!

Close Call

SOLD

8 x 10 Oil on Gessobord

This is the last of the Smith Mountain Lake Fall Regatta paintings for 2014.  Looking forward to the Spring season.  I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving.  It's hard to believe it's over, especially after all the hours of preparation.  My daughter prepared a really wonderful meal!  Next is Christmas, which will be here and over before we all know it as well.  As always, thank you for stopping by.  Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Cold Fall Day Plein Air

SOLD

8 x 10 Oil on Gessobord

It's Fall and it's freezing here at Smith Mountain Lake!  The day started out calm and beautiful and then the wind kicked up, clouds rolled in and everything changed.  It called out to be painted right then and there because everything changes minute by minute.  What is so fascinating is how the color of the water becomes so dark when the whitecaps begin to appear.  The sun was still off in the distance, but clouds overhead really changed the whole feeling of the day.

2015 Art Calendar

It's Here!  My 2015 Sights and Scenes of Smith Mountain Lake calendar.  Get them fast because they have sold out quickly in previous years.  You can order from me directly by emailing me at shelleykoop@gmail.com or buy one at Goose Creek Studio in Bedford, VA, The General Store at Smith Mountain Lake, or Gifts Ahoy at Bridgewater Plaza, Smith Mountain Lake.