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.

Lake Serenity

"Lake Serenity" 

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board 

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Can you feel the fresh air and hear the birds, and if you are lucky, the sound of a loon?

Early Morning, Monhegan

"Early Morning, Monhegan"

8 x 8. Oil on Archival Board 

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During an early morning walk I passed this scene. The great thing about returning to Monhegan Island is that things don't change. It's as though everything is in a time warp. The gardens might grow or dwindle, but the structures are always there to greet you.

Red Buds in Spring

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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 

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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.

Full Moon

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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A quick painting I worked on in between the Christmas commissions, just to warm up and use what was left on my palette. I thought of wiping it off, but it still sits on my shelf waiting for attention. I thought I'd post it before I post more of the animals. Happy Thursday!

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!!

Moon Over Smith Mountain Lake

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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A beautiful night to sit and dream...

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
  

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

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.

Early Morning Plein Air Study

12 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

Our house faces the west so usually we get wonderful sunsets over lake and don't see much of the sunrise colors.  One morning last week though, we had a spectacular, colorful early sky.  As soon as I raised the blinds, I rushed to get my little compact easel and tried to capture it in paint.  The colors are so fleeting that I was thrilled I was able to get it so quickly.  It was gone in an instant...

Better Than the Library

6 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

My son and Daughter-in-Law are visiting from Singapore this week, so I didn't have much time to paint.  A very good reason to take a break!  This was a very quick one I did while they were out.  A really limited palette.  This woman was reading on her float right off her dock.  She had it tied on a long rope so the wake from the passing boats didn't send her out into the middle of the lake.  When I snapped her photo I told her she was going to become a painting.  She said "Oh No!" but did smile.  I read that as permission to proceed :-)

Three in a Canoe

6 x 12 Oil on Archival Board

Usually it's the person in the back that gets away with not paddling :-)  She could blame it on her paddle, I guess.  The longer paddle is for our kayak.  I'm not sure why we got the shorter paddle.  This is what happens when your dock house is a mess and the girls are anxious to get out on the water.  Trying to find anything is impossible!  It's Fall.  Now's the time to start cleaning it out in preparation for next summer. 

Getting Your Feet Wet

30 x 40 Oil on Stretched Canvas

Finally finished, and a good experience.  "Getting Your Feet Wet" has two meanings here.  My first really big oil painting, and since I've completed this I'm ready for another...and then there's the obvious meaning.  Meanwhile I'm working on my series "In Your Face."  The most wonderful thing about this thing called painting and creating is what's next.  That moment when your mind starts working on the next project.  I'm so very thankful :-) 

Canoe x 3

6 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

 

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Three people fishing in a canoe..an unusual site here at the lake.  Most people have very fancy, super fast fishing boats, so it was nice to see people enjoying the peace and quiet.  No motors, just the sounds of the water lapping, birds chirping, and occasional fish jumping (usually far enough away that they don't get caught :-)  Another moment in time...

Dog Toss Ballet Redux

6 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

Painting with my 'peeps' at Goose Creek Studio on Saturday, this was the outcome. I fixed up the water a little when I got home, but I'm leaving it as is. A quick study in oil. A very fun day!

Balancing Act

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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I caught sight of this woman with her trusty dog when we were out on the boat.  She was working hard paddling, but her dog had time to take in the surroundings and posed for me :-)  This is really just a quick study, but I like it so thought I'd post it.  Just a blip in time in our day.  It came, it passed, and I recorded it in paint.

Father and Son Day at the Beach

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

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Continuing on with my beach series, this father and son hit the beach before the crowds.  He had his book and chair, and his son had his toys.  A perfect beach day!