Fame at Last

My wife and I were driving back from Wells one day when we had to stop for an elderly  farmer and his herd of cows.

He popped his head in the car side window saying "I should av stopped they others- but oi let em thro- but oi ad to stop you zur."

He then asked when we came from and recognising the address he said " Oi know you, you'r wottsis name arn't you. You'r Mr.. you know Mr.. tut  tut Mr?"

In the end my wife helped him out of his memory lapse "Cooper" she prompted.

"That's it Mr Cooper. Oi thort you werr dead!"

Dead artist come back to life

Despite the rumours listened to by the old gentleman from Polsham above I am still working.

My recent exhibition of paintings and prints at The Strode Theatre in Street included some recent works as well as the largest display of originals for some time.
 

Original Paintings and Drawings

Having recovered from our  house and studio move I have at long last sorted out some of the original paintings and drawings that were tucked away awaiting the time to tackle the task.

So I now have a collection of framed works that I am gradually listing on this website in the originals section as I get the photographs taken and add the details re locations , sizes and prices.

 Cooper's on the Menu

Before we moved to Ashcott we went to eat quite a few times at The Fox and Hounds at Charlton Adam and what a successful pub that was. It was  off the beaten track but you could go there for a mid week lunch and find the car park full and the secret of it's popularity was really jolly good food at a sensible price.

Well it's good news for Ashcott now, Lucy Gledhill has left The Fox and Hounds, since the brewers have brought it, and with her parents Christine and Allan has taken over The Pipers Inn.Originally it was  an old coaching inn on the main road by the Taunton /Bridgwater fork so here's wishing them well and if the food is as good as it was on our first visit then they won't need luck to succeed, Lucy's cooking will do that.

Years ago William Wordsworth attended a wedding breakfast at the Pipers and Pricess Isabella of Spain stopped there on her way to London. If they had waited until 2012 for their visits then they could have had a good look at all the pictures that now hang on the walls as well, all by some local artist by the name of Cooper.

 Back on the Drawing Board Part II

Story so far

-Have just finished a new commission of a picture, which is more of an illustration,if you know what I mean. It is of a large hay wagon which was actually built by my client, the real full sized thing not a model. And of course as he built it he knows where every nut and bolt should be, so it was very pleasing when I delivered it to see that it met with the customers approval.

Now it has gone a step further -

With a second mission to record the Apple Mill which has virtually been rebuilt and the wagon with it's barrel carrying body on.

Thank you to Andrew Prince from Studio Prints gallery at Frome,who told me - 'You are a lot thinner than your picture on the website' Bless you.

Now after the excesses of winter comfort foods and Christmas I will have to work at it again

New Daler Rowney artists watercolour Mars Violet I think it is , jolly useful, lovely redish earth colour. 

Facebook Page - Michael Cooper rural watercolourist now has as shoppping facility which incorporates this site.

Our new cat Ella (above) is settling in well and she is thinking of posing for a second painting soon- as soon as we find the cat food that she really really likes best that is!  It seems though that I might be alergic to Ella's long fur, so Sue may have to get rid of one of us. No points for guessing which one.

Started another new painting job - a real swine - its more woodwork in our new home -I HATE BIG BRUSHES AND DULUX ,back to the drawing board soon.

Andrew Prince has also pointed out that I have spelt 'Rascall' with 2 Ls. Sorry, after having to stay on after school with Mrs Martin for extra spelling lessons with JohnSimpson years ago , it was obviously wasted time.
Still I suppose some rascals in history finished up going  to 'ell anyway.

SOMERSET CRAFTS at The Avalon Marshes Centre

Every other Thursday I am doing a turn as steward at the Somerset Craft Centre which is part of the Avalon Marshes Centre. The base for English Nature and the RSPB on the nature reserves there.

The gallery has a large display of work from various craftsmen and women . Pottery, wood turning, glass, fabrics, stone sculpture, jewellery, silver, ironwork, wildlife photos, and exotic soaps  and of course paintings. Lots of goodies for Christmas presents .
Parking is free and refreshments are available till 4pm 

BIRDWATCHING On the Somerset levels

The gallery is only a few minutes away from the entrance to the Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve riverside walk, Noahs, Decoy  and Canada Farm Lakes where one can sit in the hides to watch the birdlife, butterflies and sometimes if you are lucky the otters.

A  walk down alongside the canal for about 15 or 20 minutes takes you past the bridge on the left, with a path through the woods to another hide, or straight on it will  bring you to theRSPB Ham Wall Reservealso very well worth a visit.

Ten minutes away by car there are two other Somerset Wildlife Trust Reserves-

Catcott Lows-  mainly a site for winter wetland wild fowl, where one can drive to within a few yards of the hide, great for anyone with mobility problems and in another direction Westhay Moor

ORIGINALS
I have a number of originals for sale please contact me for details if you are interested.

COMMISSIONING  A PAINTING – Including Animal Portraits
Having lost our own dog Gemma, a rescue greyhound, I now appreciate what a well loved pet can mean to one so I have started to do a few animal portraits                                                                                        
After painting Gemma I thought I would paint a picture for my daughter Joanna, as she did not have one of my originals.
 So off I went with my camera to her cottage at nearby Baltonsborough, when I knew she would be out and took some photos to do my first cat portrait. Back at the studio and a few days later I was quite pleased with the result, a lovely ginger cat that I thought was quite a strokeable looking creature.
 So I took it home for my wife Sue’s opinion and proudly showed her my first cat painting only to get a very deadpan sort of look. ‘                                                    

What's wrong ? I asked,'I thought it looked all soft and furry'.
'Yes it does,'said Sue 'but it is not Joanna's cat, it's the next door neighbours!'  
Print details for this picture in Giclée Prints  

Check us out on FACEBOOK 
In an attempt to keep up with the times I do have a Facebook Site and a Facebook Page, it is very easy to go from one to the other and follow some of my not so profound utterences and make you own views know as well.

© Michael Cooper

All images on this site are copyright the artist, Michael Cooper. The purchase of original paintings does not include the purchase of the copyright. All rights remain the property of the artist and will remain the property of his estate or heirs for 70 years after death