Katherine Cooper

Wildlife Artists Society of Australasia
Australian Guild of Realist Artists
Salamanca Arts Centre
Veer North Artists Society - Shetland Isles UK

Website: www.katherinecooperart.com.au
Email: studio238@gmail.com

As a child living on King Island in Bass Strait I grew up surrounded by the unspoiled ruggedness of the coast and power of the sea, and from an early age, acquired a great passion for the environment.

My work is dedicated to raising awareness of the beauty and fragility of our wildlife and the habitats in which they co-exist with humans. Every wildlife artist tries to create of piece of work that is unique and above all, to convey the true character of the subject.

"Silent Watch" - Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
Watercolour and gouache

I'm rarely without a camera and these images are retained in the studio for further reference and development (and hopefully, inspiration!).

I work with watercolour/gouache and acrylic on clayboard - an ideal surface on which to achieve detailed images.

My influences are first and foremost everything I see, feel and experience and through my work, I hope to promote a greater awareness and appreciation for our environment - to promote the viewer to observe the simple, the uncomplicated and the beautiful. I hope through my art to inspire others to stop, observe their surroundings and in doing so, begin to appreciate the truly complex and intricate balance of our natural world.

My paintings are 'snapshots' of what we take for granted around us - what we don't see, but could if we only took the time to do so.

"Spring-New Holland Honey eater2" (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)
Watercolour and gouache

Katherine Cooper - Salamanca Arts Centre Hobart

2012 - Artist in Residence - The Booth , Scalloway, Shetland Islands
2006 - Artist in Residence - Spirit III -  Living Artists Week - Devonport/Sydney
2005 - Artist in Residence - Spirit III  -  Devonport/Sydney
2005 - Artist in Residence - Australia Post Program - Living Artists Week Devonport Imaginarium

Memberships:

Wildlife Artists Society of Australasia
Australian Guild of Realist Artists
Salamanca Arts Centre - Tasmania
Veer North Artists Society - Shetland Islands Scotland UK

Solo Exhibitions

2011 - Handmark Gallery - Evandale
2009 - Salamanca Collection Gallery - "Moments of Observation"
2007 - Studio Gallery - Salamanca Arts Centre
2006 - Nautilus Gallery - King Island
2005 - Artist in Residence - Devonport Imaginarium
2003 - Artist of the Month, Strickland Gallery, Hobart Grand Chancellor
1998 - Freeman Gallery, Tasmania
1994 - King Island
1993 - King Island
1992 - King Island/Burnie
1990 - King Island

Awards

2011 -  Finalist - BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year 2011
2007 - Finalist - Australian Guild of Realist Artists  - Artists of Australia Spring Exhibition
2007 - Rotary Club of Hobart - 1st People's Choice Award 
2006 - Rotary Club of Hobart - 1st People's Choice Award
2006 - Australian Guild of Realist Artists Spring Exhibition - Finalist
2005 - Rotary Club of Hobart - 2nd People's Choice Award
1998 - Burnie Private Hospital - Art Acquisition Award
1996 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australasia - Award for work in watercolour/gouache
1996 - King Island Council $1000 art Award
1996 - Festival of King Island People's Choice Award $1000
1995 - Finalist Circular Head Art Festival - Patrick Hursey Memorial Award
1995 - Finalist Circular Head Art Festival - Runner up People's Choice Award
1995 - Finalist Circular Head Art Festival - Marine Board of Hobart Art Award
1994 -  Circular Head Art Festival - Winner -  Marine Board of Hobart Art Award $2000

Collections

House of Krug, France, 
Burnie Private Hospital,
King Island Council,
King Island Hospital,
Represented in various private collections including Australia, France, Canada, UK, and  USA

Recent Publications

2006 -  Cradle Coast Authority Promotional Magazine
2006 - Living Artist's Week Magazine
2007 - Living Artist's Week Magazine
2008 - The Mercury Newspaper
2009  - Tasmanian Life Magazine, The Art Collector, The Mercury Newspaper
2010 -  The Shetland Times