The End

8 x 10 Oil on Archival Board

An appropriately dressed woman in black looking at the information about Edward Ruscha's "The End," his homage to film; but it could also be the current front page of a newspaper right now...From MoMA.

Females Are Strong As Heck

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board 

From the Women's March in Central Park, NYC, 2019.  A little girl with a Superwoman's cape and a message.

Ice Cream for a Snowy Day

"Ice Cream for a Snowy Day"

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

We had 16 inches of snow this week, so naturally, I thought of ice cream ?!

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.

Sage - A Commission

"Sage" - Commission

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board 

SOLD

Another gorgeous dog, another commission that I loved doing.
I'm pretty sure Sage is saying to GET OUT AND VOTE. It's more important than ever!

Bed and Breakfast Doorway

"Bed and Breakfast Doorway" - 

12 x 6 Oil on Archival Board 

SOLD

Another new painting which I am pleased to say sold quickly. It always makes me happy when that happens :-). I am sorry that the colors in this image are not totally accurate. This is a little washed out. I'm going to have to study up on photography. No pumpkins in this one, but Happy Halloween Friends!!

Lake Serenity

"Lake Serenity" 

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board 

SOLD

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

Rex - A Commission

SOLD

I was honored to be asked to paint a portrait of Rex as a remembrance for his family. What a gorgeous dog!! I really enjoyed painting him and hope the painting brings his family many happy memories.

Simon

"Simon"

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD 

Another commission for the recent Hound Dog Competition, called "A Howlin' Celebration." Here's Simon, a dog with attitude :-)

Boomerang

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Watch Out! Here he comes...Here is Boomerang, one of the winners of the Hound Dog Contest at the Franklin County Library. I was fortunate enough to get to paint two of the winners. Lots of beautiful dogs were entered into the different categories, mostly rescues who were lucky enough to find wonderful families. The photo of my painting here is a little washed out. The colors are more intense in the original. Not sure why that happened.

Show Off

SOLD

"Show Off"

8 x 10 Oil on Archival Board

From one of my trips to the National Gallery, here is a man "explaining" Van Gogh's Self Portrait to his date. I stood behind them listening to his critique. He should have mentioned that this was one of Van Gogh's last self portraits. He painted 36! Maybe he'll mention it with his next date :-)

Screen Porch Flowers

"Screen Porch Flowers"

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

Flowers are not my thing, but here is my feeble attempt at a vase of flowers on a screen porch. I love other artists' floral paintings but for some reason I find it hard to loosen up when painting them...and for me, I look for action. Not much action here. Perhaps if they were in a field with the wind blowing :-)

Early Morning, Monhegan

"Early Morning, Monhegan"

8 x 8. Oil on Archival Board 

SOLD

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.

Perfect Setting

"Perfect Setting"

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

I've painted this Boothbay Harbor house before, and I must say it's one of my favorite scenes because it combines the shade of the trees and those wonderful spots of sunlight. I might go back into it and work on the house a little more, but this painting is more about the foreground than the house. I enjoyed that abstract quality. A fun new painting of an old subject.

The "Elvis Got It Wrong" Photo Contest

"The Elvis Got It Wrong" Photo Contest"

On September 22nd, from 2 to 4:00, the Franklin County Public Library's "Hound Dogs: A Howlin' Celebration" will showcase the hound dog heritage that has run through Virginia culture. There will be guest speakers and lots more going on, plus the winner of the top hound dog photo contest will be chosen. I will be lucky enough to get to paint the top dog! Come check it out. It will be a fun event.

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.

Study of Woman's Face

Study of Woman's Face

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board 

Long story on this one...I saw this wonderful woman at an art show and knew I had to try to paint her. Try was the key word here. I thought it would be a relatively simple process...NOT! I wiped her off a number of times, only to try again. The last time I wiped her off, her ghost image showed through and I loved it!! I varnished it, and here she is!

Beach Cabin Sketch

6 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

Growing up, we used to rent a summer beach cabin at a place called "The Blue Horizon" on Cape Cod. There were five cousins and lots of fun. I've tried to find photos of our trips, but think I only have the old "movies" which I can't play anymore. We would spend our days jumping off the porch railing into the sand, and collecting snail shells :-) Here is my memory of the place. I remember it being hot and hazy, with a screen door which slammed as we went in and out. I still can remember the wonderful beach smell....

Rural Barn Drive By

6 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

One of the things I love about Southwest Virginia is the abundance of old barns around every corner, everywhere you look. I'd like to paint them all. It might turn into a series, who knows :-)

Mouthful of Watermelon

12 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Here's Avery...Nothing is better than a mouthful of watermelon at Grandma's house.

Figure Work

12 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

I've been working on figure studies lately. It's all a learning experience, but then again, isn't everything?! Since I took this photo of the painting, I changed the background. I will post the new one and you can let me know which you prefer and maybe tell me why....Another learning experience :-)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! ... and thank you all for keeping tabs on my artwork through this blog and for your wonderful comments!

Salon View, National Gallery

12 x 12 Oil on Archival Board

Trying my best to have the viewer feel as though they are in the room with the magnificent artwork... Walking on those old wooden floors, hearing the muffled voices that echo slightly. My idea of heaven!

Dusk at the Morris Farm

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board 

SOLD

New painting headed over to Goose Creek Studio in Bedford, VA. I've been busily working on a project for a show, and this painting was a nice break in that routine. Thank you, Midge! Your farm is always an inspiration.

PAT'S SUNSET

6 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

What is it about sunsets?? This one was so glorious, yet so hard for me to capture in paint. Well, I did my best to show the glow and variations of color, but it is nowhere near as spectacular as the real thing. I must say, though, in my own defense that the color here isn't as vibrant as the original painting. Still, though....That's not as vibrant as the real thing.

A VALENTINE'S DAY FACE

"A Valentine's Day Face"

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

This was another Christmas commission, but this adorable dog's face definitely says he takes Valentine's Day seriously!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE!

"I'm Listening!"

Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

I don't think this dog misses anything that is said...Ever!! So very cute and a fun commission.

Another 2017 Christmas Commission

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Another adorable face to paint. I loved the tilt of his head and those jowls....

Cozy Meditation Corner

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

Up until a few days ago we were experiencing extremely cold weather. This chair right by the fireplace is perfect for reading or meditating (my new found pleasure). Painting interior scenes is new for me. It's something I'd like to do more of.

Full Moon

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

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!

One Happy Face

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Another Christmas commission I had the honor of painting. What a happy, eager, lovable face! It's the ear that got me :-)

Great Dane - Commission

6 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

SOLD

Well, Happy 2018 Everyone! Here's an adorable face of a beautiful Great Dane to start the year off. One blue eye, one green. So much personality in this mug shot. One of the Christmas commissions I was so lucky to paint.

Tree Trunk in Snow

SOLD

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

SOLD

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!!