Artist Angi Cooper presents a delightful collection of animal focused art that expresses her love of nature and whimsy. View more by visiting her website.
“Neptunian Realm” acrylic and paper on cradled panel, 36” x 36”
Real animals, imagined animals and somewhere in-between animals. Since I was a child, various creatures and beings have found their way into my art, from little families of rabbit people I drew as a child to naturalistic renderings of endangered species, to little stylized characters. They all have a home in my imagination and in my work.
“(To Be) Free as a Mountain” mixed media (acrylic, book pages on coal mining, paper) on canvas, 30” x 40”
My work is inspired by nature, animals, children’s literature, humor, my background in graphic design, and my volunteer work as a former zoo educator. I’m also interested in the story an image creates. This is one of the parts I cherish about children’s literature and illustration. Alice in Wonderland is a childhood favorite. I have explored my own interpretations through sculptural works like the rabbit twins in my shadowbox collages.
“Curiouser and Curiouser” shadowbox collage assemblage, each 7.25” x 8.75” x 2.25”
My passions are also drawn to illustrating real animals like my works on endangered species and their ecosystems and the variety of flora and fauna moving through those spaces. Sometimes there’s a bit of the predator to prey relationship shown where I use white outlines to show some of those other species.
“Fat Cat VII” shadowbox collage assemblage, 7” x 6.25” x 2.25”
Working from my graphic design background, I also love to explore using composition for telling a particular animal’s story like in my portrait of the cat that went to Antarctica, Mrs. Chippy. There’s the map behind the large tabby, but also interesting elements like the carpenter tools shown beside the cat, which represent his human companion who was a carpenter.
“Mrs. Chippy” giclee reproduction of mixed media painting on canvas, 20” x 24”
I also like a stylized approach as in “Leo Looms”, based on cats I encountered in Italy and “Bathing Tabby”, a portrait of my own cat. Both pieces include some of my favorite devices—compositional balance, stylized forms, color harmony, flattened or distorted perspective, pattern, and symbolic elements.
“Bathing Tabby” giclee reproduction of acrylic on canvas painting, 20” x 16”
Helping people to see our interconnectedness with nature is another meaningful path for my art. In “Like Minds” it shows up as bronchi shapes, tree leaves and a wood thrush to emphasize our reliance on nature for fresh air to breathe and the joy of listening to songbirds.
“Like Minds” acrylic on wood, 13.25” round
Nature has been my joy and centering place since childhood. There’s always something special about taking up space in those unpredictable exteriors. It pays to stop, listen, and look. It’s really quite amazing on so many levels.
“The Delta Paws” giclee reproduction of mixed media painting, 11” x 13”
Connection can happen with humor as well. I’m a firm believer that whimsy and joy are part of life and should be part of art as well. This playfulness is present in my shadowbox collages, freestyle feline fighter paintings, my zine work and prints like the “The Delta Paws”, a little dog and cat blues band. It was a lot of fun to write the little cat’s blues song lyrics. Laughter is such good medicine. If some aspect of my work brings a smile or chuckle to the viewer, that absolutely thrills me.
“Afloat” mixed media on canvas (acrylic, paper, and color pencil), 24” x 24”
I’m still learning, experimenting, shaping my stories, engaging with my insatiable curiosity and sharing all this with the viewer. It’s one more way for the audience to relate and connect, always connecting.
Angi Cooper invites you to follow her on Instagram, Etsy and Facebook.