Cooley Art Gallery

Postings of recent paintings

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 | Comments Off on CURLYHEAD

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 | Comments Off on Happy Fourth Everyone!

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 | Comments Off on Christopher Kendall

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 | Comments Off on 7 Falls

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 | Comments Off on Rolls in Decline

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 | Comments Off on Goodbye 2016 and Princess Leia

 

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 | Comments Off on Happy Holidays to All

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

Up to the house

Posted on | October 16, 2016 | Comments Off on Up to the house

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

up-to-the-house

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

reagan

Little Toot

Posted on | August 28, 2016 | Comments Off on Little Toot

“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.

Little Toot

Shanna

Posted on | August 12, 2016 | Comments Off on Shanna

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

Shanna

 

Theo Award

Posted on | August 9, 2016 | Comments Off on Theo Award

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.

13925514_10208357765996214_166971745281110257_o

Incoming Storm

Posted on | July 18, 2016 | Comments Off on Incoming Storm

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.

Storm approaches

Rocket Girl

Posted on | July 14, 2016 | Comments Off on Rocket Girl

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

Rocket Girl

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.

buck rogers water pistol_lg

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.

Red Hot

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. 

App trail on Roan

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. 

Biltmore May_23_2016

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.

Colin

Helen Byrd

Posted on | April 29, 2016 | Comments Off on Helen Byrd

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

Helen 2

Edneyville Ruin

Posted on | April 28, 2016 | 1 Comment

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

edneyville ruin

Made in the Shade

Posted on | March 30, 2016 | Comments Off on Made in the Shade

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

Happy Birthday Mike.  

hen in the shade

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.

Theo at Killarney

End of Winter

Posted on | March 15, 2016 | Comments Off on End of Winter

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.

melting meadow

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.

Chicago Blue

Snowy fire pit

Posted on | January 31, 2016 | Comments Off on Snowy fire pit

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

Tyrone

Posted on | January 31, 2016 | Comments Off on Tyrone

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

Tyrone Perry

Big Foot Bob

Posted on | December 26, 2015 | Comments Off on Big Foot Bob

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

BFB_on_red

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

Wolf’s Angel

Posted on | November 16, 2015 | Comments Off on Wolf’s Angel

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”

Wolf's Angel 1

Center Cut

Posted on | November 3, 2015 | 1 Comment

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

Center Cut

Nestled In

Posted on | October 26, 2015 | Comments Off on Nestled In

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”

Nestled In

The Barn at Walnut Cove

Posted on | August 3, 2015 | Comments Off on The Barn at Walnut Cove

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

“Available”

barn w_phantom

Biltmore Afternoon

Posted on | August 1, 2015 | Comments Off on Biltmore Afternoon

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”

mansion with arbor

Chicken Barn

Posted on | July 22, 2015 | Comments Off on Chicken Barn

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

DSC_7349

Happy Father’s Day

Posted on | June 20, 2015 | Comments Off on Happy Father’s Day

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.

black and white rooster

 

Remi

Posted on | June 19, 2015 | Comments Off on Remi

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

Remi portrait

Theo

Posted on | June 11, 2015 | Comments Off on Theo

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

DSC_6957

Chestnut Trot

Posted on | June 5, 2015 | 1 Comment

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

chestnut run

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.

DSC_6747

Ian

Posted on | May 9, 2015 | Comments Off on Ian

“Ian” A great model last night at the Tryon Painters and Sculptors Studio. Pretty geeked up to paint after a weekend at the Portrait Society of America’s conference, in Atlanta. Oil on 12 x 16 linen.

DSC_6446 copy

Oakland Street Bungalow

Posted on | April 27, 2015 | Comments Off on Oakland Street Bungalow

A pretty bungalow next door to my house.  Oil on 11 x 14 linen.  “available”

Oakland Street Bungalo

Apple Valley Blossoms

Posted on | April 19, 2015 | Comments Off on Apple Valley Blossoms

The rain stopped long enough for me to get a couple paintings of the apple blossoms before they fall.  The apple valley, which is just 15 minutes from my house is a wonderland.   This is a 9 x 12 on a linen panel.

“Available”

Apple Valley Blossoms

St. Simon’s Cedar

Posted on | April 3, 2015 | Comments Off on St. Simon’s Cedar

A cedar tree from my recent St. Simon’s painting trip.  Once again, painted plain air until the rain, then finished in the studio.  Oil on 11 x 14 linen panel  “Available”

.St Simon's Cedar

Creek with Sycamores

Posted on | March 31, 2015 | Comments Off on Creek with Sycamores

A creek near our house in Hendersonville, NC.  Oil on 10 x 10 linen.

Happy 50th Mike.  Hard to believe.

creek with sycamores

Allosaurus

Posted on | March 14, 2015 | 2 Comments

This one is from my illustration days in Detroit.  Done for the Detroit Children’s Science center as a poster and t-shirt.  Acryllic on illustration board.

Happy birthday to Grandson, Thomas.

allosaurus copy

Kennedy

Posted on | February 20, 2015 | Comments Off on Kennedy

Kennedy Greenwood, a British Musician now residing in Detroit with my friend Maggie Schultz. A great guy. Together he and Maggie make up the duo, “Honey and Buffalo”. 18 x 24 charcoal on strathmore paper.

kennedy3

Men in Hats, “Mike”

Posted on | February 17, 2015 | 1 Comment

My friend from Chicago, Mike Waterkotte.  18 x 24 charcoal on toned Canson paper.

mike w-charcoal copy

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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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