Show Announcement, April 4-28

"Viewpoints"
Paintings by Michele Cooper

April 4-28, 2012

Gallery by the Bay, Stanwood, WA
Open Wed-Sat  11-5

Artists' Reception: Friday, April 6

 4pm-7pm      Refreshments served

I view my painting experience as a "conversation with the light". It's a constant give and take during the hour or so that I spend on location. No matter how many times I return to the same spot, there is always something new to discover.......and try to express on a mere two dimensional surface. I'm always looking for ways to edit out nonessential details, leaving the essence of this engagement in my composition.


My desire is that, even without words, the viewer sees that there is room in this dialog for them, too.

You and your friends and family are most welcome. I look forward to seeing you at the opening reception.

Mysterious Missing Art

 Summer Memories
8x10 Original Ink Drawing

Has anyone seen this drawing? I was saving it to reward myself after finishing preparations for my new show. (It's opening this Friday!)

I told myself I would wait to do the watercolor wash only after all the paintings were framed, packed and ready to go. Then I spent hours and hours trying to find out where I have hidden this from myself. Still no success. Arrrrgh!

Spring Light

Spring Light, Winter Shadows
Original Watercolor 10x10"

Since we have been getting a preview of Spring in between snow showers, I thought I might give you a preview of my new Spring show at Gallery by the Bay.

Click the picture to zoom larger.

Street Scenes

Original Ink Drawing
8x10"

I've included the photo reference of a street scene in Stanwood so you can compare what I edited out or changed from the original subject.

Positive and Negative

Wind at Lake McMurray
Original Plein Air Watercolor by Michele Cooper

I always think in terms of white space as I paint. Every time you touch the paper with transparent watercolor, you are using white space: defining it, eliminating it, or moderating it. Your brushstrokes are always defining the shape of the neighboring space as they define their own. This creates positive and negative interplay. The "negative" space can therefore either be a passage of color and value or a white space. Counter change is a refinement of these relationships.

Line and Wash - sold

"Wolfkill Seeds" - Original Micron Ink Drawing & Watercolor 8x10"
On Arches 140# CP
Sold

Art is not about painting something that is beautiful, but about painting something beautifully.

Drawn freely from photo reference without any preliminary pencil lines.
Watercolor washes applied with a squirrel mop brush over the ink lines.

See photo reference here.

Award at Annual Miniatures and Small Paintings Exhibit

"Fair Winds"
Original Watercolor 5x7"
Framed Size 8x10

Just returned from the artists' reception at Gallery North in Edmonds where I was pleasantly surprised to have won Honorable Mention for this small watercolor. (click the image to see larger, then right click to zoom.)

Gallery North Annual Miniature and Small Paintings Show

"Companions"
Original Watercolor 8x10"
Framed Size 11x14"

I've been reminiscing lately. My father and uncle went bird hunting a few times, but I think it was more about spending time together than it was about the results.
And an excuse to get a dog.

This small painting is in the Gallery North Annual Miniature and Small Paintings Show in Edmonds. I'll tell you more about the back stories of my work when I see you on Sunday at Gallery North. The reception for artists is from 1-4.

10/10/17 Update: This piece is available at my studio open house or by private appointment.