Idyll Cottage

Posted on | March 7, 2021 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

 

24″ x 30″ oil on linen.  “available”

Star

Posted on | August 29, 2020 | 1 Comment

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

Nodding Giants

Posted on | August 29, 2020 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

” 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 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

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 | No Comments

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.

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 | 1 Comment

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.

 

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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

• Idyll Cottage
• Kate’s Dream
• The Camarata House
• Socially Distanced Cow
• Star
• Nodding Giants
• Mini Documentary
• The Quarantine Painters
• Into Atlanta
• Flowergirl #8

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