Cooley Art Gallery

Postings of recent paintings

Brown Dog Redux

Posted on | January 5, 2024 | Comments Off on Brown Dog Redux

Charlie, the beloved Brown Dog from ” The Gallery at Flat Rock”.

Sadly, Charlie left us a few months back.  We will miss her forever.

Four faces from Wednesday Night

Posted on | January 5, 2024 | Comments Off on Four faces from Wednesday Night

Four of the models from our Wednesday night portrait sessions.

Ross

Posted on | January 5, 2024 | Comments Off on Ross

Another from our Wednesday night portrait sessions.

Love and Peace to You All!

Posted on | December 11, 2023 | Comments Off on Love and Peace to You All!

The King of Walnut Cove

Posted on | August 18, 2023 | Comments Off on The King of Walnut Cove

Just love painting a chicken now and then.

8×10 oil

Figure Paintings

Posted on | August 18, 2023 | Comments Off on Figure Paintings

3 new pieces from our Wednesday night figure and portrait sessions at the Tryon Artists and sculptor’s studio.

 

 

Maked Tree Vineyard 2023

Posted on | August 18, 2023 | Comments Off on Maked Tree Vineyard 2023

I taught a workshop at the Marked Tree Vineyard celebration of the arts. in June.

These were my demos

 

Marked Tree Vineyard

Posted on | June 16, 2022 | Comments Off on Marked Tree Vineyard

    I taught a workshop at Marked tree Vineyard over the weekend, with 5 talented and motivated painters.  We had beautiful weather in this incredible setting.  One demo each morning, each 11 x 14 oil.

Available $750 each

Merritt Jacob

Posted on | March 16, 2022 | Comments Off on Merritt Jacob

I spent an entertaining afternoon at my friend Merritt’s house, painting his portrait and listening to stories of his life and ancestry.  He’s from am old New England family that has a few skeletons in the closet.

12 x 16 oil

“Sold”

 

 

Thinking of Summer at Granite Lake WI

Posted on | March 16, 2022 | Comments Off on Thinking of Summer at Granite Lake WI

A couple July scenes in gouache.  6 x 8

Self Portrait on a Cold Day

Posted on | March 16, 2022 | Comments Off on Self Portrait on a Cold Day

Temps in the single digits.  The insulation in my studio can’t quite keep up.

6 x 8 oil on paper.

Snow at Biltmore Sheep Meadow.

Posted on | March 16, 2022 | Comments Off on Snow at Biltmore Sheep Meadow.

A little studio gouache painting.

Brenda Whitcomb

Posted on | March 16, 2022 | Comments Off on Brenda Whitcomb

A Christmas commission.  Brenda commissioned me to paint her husband,Bruce a few years back.  Bruce had me paint Brenda as a surprise.    9 x 12 oil

Marked Tree Vineyard

Posted on | November 3, 2021 | Comments Off on Marked Tree Vineyard

Marked Tree Vineyard, located in the Flat Rock NC area.  One of the prettiest spots I’v had the pleasure to paint.

Marked Tree Vista

11 x 14

“Sold”

 

 

The Road to Marked Tree 11 x 14 

 

The Tasting Room at Marked Tree  12 x 12

Flat Rock Park

Posted on | November 3, 2021 | Comments Off on Flat Rock Park

These 3 were done over the last couple weeks at Flat Rock Park in Flat Rock, NC

 

Flat Rock Lilly Pond 1

12″ x 12″  oil on linen panel

700

 

Flat Rock Water Birch

12″ x 12″  oil on linen panel

700

 

Flat Rock Lilly Pond 2

11″ x 14″   oil on linen panel

“sold”

Pitcher with Feathers

Posted on | October 7, 2021 | Comments Off on Pitcher with Feathers

A still life done over a few rainy days.  12 x 16 oil

“Leon and Margot”

Posted on | September 23, 2021 | Comments Off on “Leon and Margot”

    A commision for my cousins, Rick and Tracey Cassard, of their grandchildren, Leon and Margot Beal.

Bamboo and Mountain Laurel

Posted on | August 13, 2021 | Comments Off on Bamboo and Mountain Laurel

The view from our window

36″ x 24″ oil on linen

“available”

6 Men in a zoom meeting

Posted on | May 16, 2021 | Comments Off on 6 Men in a zoom meeting

6 friends from a zoom meeting

Oil on 18 x 24 Strathmore

Easter Selfie

Posted on | April 3, 2021 | 1 Comment

Got my second shot a few days ago.  This is my last selfie before venturing ou into humanity.  I know I look a year older.  I wonder how everyone else fared?

“Cathy Olivas”

Posted on | March 31, 2021 | Comments Off on “Cathy Olivas”

My latest commission.  The sister of a dear friend.  12 x 16 oil

Idyll Cottage

Posted on | March 7, 2021 | Comments Off on Idyll Cottage

My friend Suzanne Camarata commisioned me to paint her parents vacation home.  It sits in the Northern Mountains of South Carolina.

18 x18 oil

Kate’s Dream

Posted on | January 20, 2021 | Comments Off on Kate’s Dream

This is a new painting done for an exhibition opening at The Gallery at Flat Rock on Jan 21.  The theme is transcendence and one 20 artists have created pieces on this concept.  Very apropos of these crazy times we have been living through.  So leave the world behind and come have a look.

30″ x 36″ oil on linen

 

 

 

The Camarata House

Posted on | January 16, 2021 | Comments Off on The Camarata House

I was nearly defeated by the weather on this grey day, but persevered. Paint box filling with water and snow dropping out of the trees on the canvas. Hands wet and freezing. A friends home near Caesars Head State Park.

9 x 12 oil.

Socially Distanced Cow

Posted on | November 23, 2020 | Comments Off on Socially Distanced Cow

 

24″ x 30″ oil on linen.  “available”

Star

Posted on | August 29, 2020 | Comments Off on Star

Just learned that “Star”,  was accepted into the American Impressionist Society’s first National online showcase.

Nodding Giants

Posted on | August 29, 2020 | 1 Comment

Headed out to Johnson Farms, here in Hendersonville, to catch the last of the Sunflower season.

9 x 12 oil  “Available”

 

Mini Documentary

Posted on | July 29, 2020 | 1 Comment

My friend Erik Olsen, a very talented film maker shot this short film of me in the studio

 

The Quarantine Painters

Posted on | July 16, 2020 | 1 Comment

“Hogback Peach Blossoms”  9×12 oil

At the beginning of our Covid shutdown, a few of my painter friends and I decided we could safely paint outside as a group.  So, once a week a location would be selected and we would meet there and paint plein air. This peach blossom painting is from the very first location we chose.  Hogback Mountain peach orchards near Landrum, SC.  This was the end of March. We have been meeting nearly every week since, practicing social distancing by setting up well spread out and driving separately.  We call ourselves The Quarantine Painters.   Myself, Richard Oversmith, Rich Nelson, Mitch Kolbe, Jim Carson, and Scott Boyle, make up the group.

We have recently opened an exhibition at The Gallery at Flat Rock, in Flat Rock, NC.  If  you are in the area please stop in.   There is an online show of our works as well.  The following link will take you there.

http://galleryflatrock.com/quarantine-painters-sale/?fbclid=IwAR3l6b4tt_DCwRNL2F5n_5Eb4W-iEO1cuDPJgpFku-Xdv2Z7dClKKxLNO4U#cooley

Into Atlanta

Posted on | May 26, 2020 | Comments Off on Into Atlanta

heading

The RR tracks heading toward downtown Atlanta.

16 x 20 oil on linen.

Flowergirl #8

Posted on | April 1, 2020 | 1 Comment

The last of the 5″x7″ Flowergirl series

The Flower Girls Dance

Posted on | December 29, 2019 | Comments Off on The Flower Girls Dance

The flower girls had the floor to themselves at the wedding reception.  9″ x 12″  oil on linen

 

The Angels Danced

Posted on | December 26, 2019 | Comments Off on The Angels Danced

Happy Holidays everyone.

Bob

Posted on | November 3, 2019 | 3 Comments

My Uncle Bob Tayor.  I keep trying to capture this guy, but he’s tough in more ways than one.  I think this effort comes the closest.

16 x 20 oil

Rail Road Bridge Over the French Broad River

Posted on | October 17, 2019 | 1 Comment

Plein air on a beautiful NC day.   The colors of fall are coming on.  Not quite as vibrant this year, due to lack of rain.

11 x 14 oil

Rick Cassard

Posted on | October 7, 2019 | 1 Comment

My friend and cousin, Rick Carssard.  This painting is for his CD of wonderful songs, that he writes to his wife, daughters, and Grandchildren.  He is quietly, a very talented guy.

20 x 24 oil on linen.

September Light Lake Julian

Posted on | September 5, 2019 | 3 Comments

A perfect day at the marina on Lake Julian.  

11 x 14 oil on linen

Afternoon Delight

Posted on | August 19, 2019 | 1 Comment

Hard to resist painting sunflowers.   Johnson Farms  Hendersonville, NC

12″ x 12″ oil on linen

Red Hot Happy 4th!

Posted on | July 4, 2019 | 1 Comment

Happy 4th everyone!  

This was done a few years back.  16 x 20 oil

 

Happy Birthday Emily.  You should email me, there is something you should know.

 

 

Mrs. Sandburg’s Goat

Posted on | June 21, 2019 | Comments Off on Mrs. Sandburg’s Goat

One of the goats at the Carl Sandburg home in nearby Flat Rock, NC.

16″ x 20″ oil

RIP Dr John

Posted on | June 15, 2019 | 2 Comments

Painting done years ago.  Still have this one.  Oil on panel.

Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers.

 

Mike D. please get in touch there is something you should know.

Heidelberg Hotel

Posted on | June 12, 2019 | Comments Off on Heidelberg Hotel

Heidelberg Hotel, at the Bonclarken Conference Center in Flat Rock, NC. A lovely place with much more to paint.

Lenten Rose and Camellia

Posted on | April 15, 2019 | 1 Comment

Painting a still life with the masters on tv in the background.  My kind of Sunday.

“The Yardbirds”

Posted on | March 30, 2019 | Comments Off on “The Yardbirds”

” The Yardbirds”  16 x 20 oil

Happy Birthday Mike!

Battery Point Lighthouse

Posted on | March 14, 2019 | 2 Comments

Painted in the studio, inspired from a trip to N. California a few years ago.

30″ x 24″ oil on linen.

Happy Birthday to Thomas Rockefeller Donaldson.

Dark Lady

Posted on | January 11, 2019 | 1 Comment

A little Black hen from Herbalicious Farms, NC

12″ x 24″ oil on linen panel.

Brown Dog Redux

Posted on | January 11, 2019 | Comments Off on Brown Dog Redux

Our dog Sunny’s best buddy in a calm moment.

11″ x 14″ oil on linen panel

Golden Hour Pines

Posted on | January 11, 2019 | Comments Off on Golden Hour Pines

Painted from photos on our West coast drive, a few years back.

24″ x 24″ oil on linen

Holly’s Trees

Posted on | November 8, 2018 | Comments Off on Holly’s Trees

Fall in Western NC is still with us.  This is from my friends Holly and Kim’s spread. 9 x 12 oil.

Before the Storm

Posted on | September 15, 2018 | 5 Comments

Headed out yesterday to paint before the rain and wind move in. Lake Julian, NC. 11 x 14

The Yellow Boat

Posted on | September 8, 2018 | 1 Comment

A little 6×8 done just as the sun rose over Grand Traverse Bay.  This was done on the final day of the “Paint Grand Traverse” plein air event in Traverse City Mi.  It was a beautiful place to paint alongside some great painters from all over the country.

 

Aaron Dworkin

Posted on | August 8, 2018 | 1 Comment

Aaron is the past Dean of The School of Music Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan.  A commission I just delivered.

Willow on Granite Lake

Posted on | July 4, 2018 | 1 Comment

Happy Birthday Emily and the rest of America.

Our favorite 4th of July spot.  Granite Lake Wisconsin.

6×8

 

Kim

Posted on | June 17, 2018 | 1 Comment

Happy Fathers Day, especially you, Mike.

This was a demo at our 362 Depot street gallery in the River Arts District of Asheville. Rich Nelson and I painted his wife Kim in a 3 hour sitting.  If you are in Asheville stop by.  12 x 16 oil on canvas.

Shasta Airflyte

Posted on | May 8, 2018 | 2 Comments

I painted this demo today for the Asheville Urban Landscape Painters group.

This is located at the June Bug Resort In Weaverville, NC.  They have many of these travel campers, restored beautifully.  This one is used as the office.  5o acres surrounded by lovely mountains.  A great morning with lots of fun, talented painters.

9 x 12 oil on linen “available” $600

Spring 1st

Posted on | March 31, 2018 | 1 Comment

A view of my friends Kim and Holly Bertram’s farm in Hendersonville, NC.  Painted near the first day of Spring.

Happy 53rd Birthday, Mike.

Remy’s Torso 2

Posted on | March 14, 2018 | 1 Comment

Happy birthday to Thomas Rockefeller Donaldson.  Here is a horse for your birthday.  18 x 24 charcoal

Selfie

Posted on | February 17, 2018 | 2 Comments

Keeping up with the aging process.  My last self portrait was a few years ago.  12″ x 16″ oil on linen.

Airstream

Posted on | December 18, 2017 | 4 Comments

This has been parked in my neighborhood for a few days and I finally got a chance to paint it.  The owner, James is going to take it cross country in a few days.  It is beautiful inside and out.  A real piece of Americana.

Tree Tunnell

Posted on | October 31, 2017 | 2 Comments

Discovered this scene on S. Mills River Road.  Beautiful road.

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  • I have been painting and illustrating professionally for my entire career. I recently left the graphic arts business to paint full time. Life is grand! If you would like to know more about me, hit the "About" link in the upper right corner. For pricing or any other info please email me. dgcooley11@gmail.com All images on this site are copyright protected by the artist.
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