Before the Storm

Posted on | September 15, 2018 | 3 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 | 3 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.

Bridge Over the French Broad River.

Posted on | October 29, 2017 | 2 Comments

The colors are coming on strong and The mountains are beautiful.

This bridge is along Brevard road in Etowah, NC.

9 x 12 oil

Bruce

Posted on | September 13, 2017 | 2 Comments

Bruce and his wife Brenda, visiting from Myrtle Beach,  came into the gallery in Asheville  one day.  He had on a Great looking hat.  He became the next installment to the Men in Hats series.  8×10 oil.

CURLYHEAD

Posted on | September 5, 2017 | No Comments

A little something different.  I worked from a selfie my friend Caroline took.  10 x 10 oil on linen.

Late Summer Greens

Posted on | August 30, 2017 | No Comments

A small lake a few blocks from my house.  The greens are just starting to change.  9×12 oil.

Christopher Kendall

Posted on | July 10, 2017 | 1 Comment

A commissioned portrait for the University of Michigan, of Christopher Kendall, the past dean of the School of Music Theatre and Dance.  It will be hung in the school’s new building.

24″ x  36″ oil on linen.

Happy Fourth Everyone!

Posted on | July 3, 2017 | No Comments

And a happy Birthday to Emily.

Here’s digital illustration from a few years back done for Lucas films and Hasbro.

Battle Droid

 

Our Boy Cooper

Posted on | June 18, 2017 | 1 Comment

So long Cooper, you took such good care of us all of your short life.

Happy Father’s Day to all you Dads.  Give your kids and your dogs a big hug today.

Especially you, Mike.

 

 

Mills River Vista

Posted on | May 29, 2017 | 1 Comment

A morning with the Western NC plein air painters. A good group of painters and a beautiful morning.  9 x 12 oil.  “Available”

Christopher Kendall

Posted on | May 15, 2017 | No Comments

The former Dean of the Music Theatre and Dance School at the University of Michigan. This a preliminary drawing for a portrait I was commissioned to paint.  The final painting was not this pose, but I thought this drawing worked out well.  16″ x 18″  charcoal and chalk on toned paper.

7 Falls

Posted on | May 1, 2017 | No Comments

Finally got out for some spring painting at a beautiful little Spot about 25 minutes from home.  I will be returning.  11 x 14 oils.

“Available”

Kate in Red

Posted on | April 6, 2017 | 2 Comments

My favorite model, Kate from Atlanta was in Asheville and we had a couple sittings.  This is painting #1 from our sessions.

16″ x 20″  Available

Classic Chevy Pickup

Posted on | February 13, 2017 | 1 Comment

Not far from my house, sits this beauty.  1954 Chevy.

6 x 8 gouache on paper.

“Available”

Happy Birthday, Mike!  Sorry, missed it by a day.

1953 PONTIAC WOODY

Posted on | February 9, 2017 | 3 Comments

A 1953 Pontiac woody that was parked at our hotel on our trip to Maine last August.

6 x 8 gouache on paper.

Scott Lane

Posted on | January 25, 2017 | 1 Comment

Scott Lane, our sitter at the Wednesday night head study.  12×16 oil on linen.

Rolls in Decline

Posted on | January 6, 2017 | No Comments

A sad old Rolls Royce sitting out in the elements.  Still a beautiful automobile.  A couple miles from my house here in Hendersonille.

5″ x 7″ gouache watercolor on paper.  “available”

Goodbye 2016 and Princess Leia

Posted on | December 31, 2016 | No Comments

 

This piece was done in digitally in Corel Painter and photoshop for Lucas films andHasbro, along with 23 other characters for a box set.

Happy Holidays to All

Posted on | December 29, 2016 | No Comments

A scene from an animation project done a few years ago.

Up to the house

Posted on | October 16, 2016 | No Comments

A nice little scene near Etowah, NC.  9 x 12 oil

Reagan

Posted on | September 20, 2016 | 1 Comment

Our niece Reagan, who just turned five.  She was four when I took the pic I worked from.  The girl knows how to accessorize.  16 x 20 oil

Little Toot

Posted on | August 28, 2016 | No Comments

“Little Toot”, is what the locals in Maine called this little Tug. I went up to paint with some old and new friends. A workshop With Julain Merrow-Smith was the occasion and everyone there had been to Provence to paint with Julian over the last 2 years. Our hosts Julian and Ruth were as gracious and warm as ever and the painters were fun and talented. What a great experience. This was done on the last day of the trip.

Shanna

Posted on | August 12, 2016 | No Comments

Our lovely model for our Wednesday night portrait study at the Tryon Painters and Sculptors Studio.  12 x 16 oil.

 

Theo Award

Posted on | August 9, 2016 | No Comments

So honored to receive the artist’s choice award and 2nd place in the Bring Us Your Best annual exhibition here in The Asheville area.  “Theo”  24 x 30 oil.

Incoming Storm

Posted on | July 18, 2016 | No Comments

Painting the storm clouds at the end of Crab Creek road at Rt 64 when they started heading my way.  Had to pack up in a hurry.  11″ x 14″ oil on linen.

Rocket Girl

Posted on | July 14, 2016 | No Comments

Some thing a little different for me.  charcoal on paper 16″ x 21″

Happy 4th

Posted on | July 4, 2016 | 2 Comments

..and a Happy Birthday to my Granddaughter Emily.

A little ray gun from a few years back.

Red Hot

Posted on | June 18, 2016 | 4 Comments

This is a repost, but a good image for a hot summer and Father’s day.

I hope all of you Dad’s out there have a great day, especially you, Mike.

Round Bald

Posted on | June 12, 2016 | 1 Comment

The Appalachian trail, at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mountain Tn.  The trail just keeps on going all the way to Maine. I joined a few of the Plein air of NC for 3 days at this beautiful place.  Day 3 the wind stopped howling so we could get up here. 

Looking West

Posted on | May 26, 2016 | 1 Comment

The Biltmore has an incredible view to the west.  I set up my gear in the south pasture.  There are no bad views here.  11×14 oil on linen. 

Colin

Posted on | May 19, 2016 | 1 Comment

17 year old Colin our model for the Wed night portrait study session at the Tryon Painters and Sculptors studio.

Helen Byrd

Posted on | April 29, 2016 | No Comments

Our fantastic model at the Tryon Painters and Sculptors Wednesday night study session.  12 x 16 oil.

Edneyville Ruin

Posted on | April 28, 2016 | 1 Comment

A little falling down barn out in apple country.  8x 10 oil.

Made in the Shade

Posted on | March 30, 2016 | No Comments

A little 5″ x 7″ portrait of a hen from Rabun Gap, Georgia.

Happy Birthday Mike.  

Theo

Posted on | March 23, 2016 | 2 Comments

A recent painting of Theophilous Mackey, one of the many great folks I’ve met here in Hendersonville, NC.  24″ x 30″ oil on linen.

End of Winter

Posted on | March 15, 2016 | No Comments

Winter is as good as over here in Hendersonville, NC.  This is a scene from the Biltmore Estate done about a month ago.  Tomorrow it’s time to paint Spring.  Happy birthday Grandson Thomas and My Dad “Big Don” wherever you are.

Chicago Mike’s Blues

Posted on | February 23, 2016 | 1 Comment

Studio portrait of my friend, Mike Waterkotte, from, you guessed it. Chicago.  16 x 20 oil on linen.

Snowy fire pit

Posted on | January 31, 2016 | No Comments

Our side yard after last weeks big snow.  11 x 14 oil

Tyrone

Posted on | January 31, 2016 | No Comments

Another all prima from our Wednesday night head study session at the Tryon Painters and Sculptors studio.  12 x 16 oil on linen.

Big Foot Bob

Posted on | December 26, 2015 | No Comments

My friend Bob Shultz. He is an incredible musician from my hometown of Jackson, Michigan.  6″x12″ oil on linen.

Happy New Year to Mike, Celine, Emily, and Thomas!

Wolf’s Angel

Posted on | November 16, 2015 | No Comments

Plein Air painting of Wolf’s Angel.  The angel resides at the Hendersonville cemetery and was the inspiration for Thomas Wolf’s first novel, “Look Homeward Angel”.  9×12 oil on linen.  “available”

Center Cut

Posted on | November 3, 2015 | 1 Comment

Another fine day in WNC.  9×12 oil on linen.

Nestled In

Posted on | October 26, 2015 | No Comments

One of the incredible working barns on the Biltmore Estate on a beautiful day.  I love roaming around there stopping to paint these scenes.  9×12 oil on linen. “Available”

The Barn at Walnut Cove

Posted on | August 3, 2015 | No Comments

Back to the Walnut Cove Stables near Hendersonville, NC.  11 x 14 oil on linen.

“Available”

Biltmore Afternoon

Posted on | August 1, 2015 | No Comments

A view of the Biltmore mansion from the gardens.  I finally used my annual pass to the Biltmore estate and gardens.  What a spectacular place.  I’ll be returning often.  11 x 14 oil on linen panel.

“Available”

Chicken Barn

Posted on | July 22, 2015 | No Comments

A plain air of the chicken barn at Walnut Cove Stables.  11 x 14  oil on linen.

Happy Father’s Day

Posted on | June 20, 2015 | No Comments

In honor of father’s day, here’s a big old rooster.  charcoal on paper.

I hope all you Dad’s receive the bar-b-que tools, fishing hats with clever quotes, and off brand golf balls you’ve been waiting for since last year.

An especially fine day to you Mike.

 

Remi

Posted on | June 19, 2015 | No Comments

Remi from Walnut Cove Stables, near Hendersonville NC.  16 x 18 charcoal on paper.

Theo

Posted on | June 11, 2015 | No Comments

Theo, painted at Wed. night head study.  12 x 16 oil on linen.

Chestnut Trot

Posted on | June 5, 2015 | 1 Comment

Remi from Walnut Cove Stables.  9 x 12 oil on linen.

Horse Torso

Posted on | May 29, 2015 | 2 Comments

A studio drawing in charcoal on 18 x 24 strathmore charcoal paper.  Thanks to Chrystal at Walnut Cove Stables for putting her horse through it’s paces so I could get this shot.

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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.

Recent Posts

• Before the Storm
• The Yellow Boat
• Aaron Dworkin
• Willow on Granite Lake
• Kim
• Shasta Airflyte
• Spring 1st
• Remy’s Torso 2
• Selfie
• Airstream

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