Andrew Cooper is a self-taught, Cape Town based artist. His distinctive ability to capture everyday life in its most natural form is characteristic of his style and is what he’s renowned for locally and around the world.
He has exhibited throughout South Africa and the 2004 International Art Expo in New York City marked Andrew’s premiere major American exhibition. Andrew’s paintings have also been exhibited in the United Kingdom at the Smithfield Gallery in London.
Andrew’s love of the outdoors reflects in his work as he captures the many diverse South African landscapes and seascapes that surround him. He is inspired by much of the beauty that surrounds him that brings thousands of tourists to Cape Town, the Winelands and the Cape Peninsula daily.
Why landscapes as your subject matter of choice?
I live in the Cape and am surrounded by many beautiful mountains and oceans. I also spent a lot of time fishing in the mountains when I was younger. Nowadays, I am doing more and more seascapes and also introducing mystical landscapes as my subject matter.
What inspires you?
The beauty of my surroundings and especially the light we get in the Cape. I like to capture those moments in time that often leave you breathless when confronted with a breathtakingly beautiful view. I like to recreate what I see for other people.
Your favourite artist/painting?
Michael Waters (boats and harbour paintings) – modern impressionistic style
Advice for aspiring artists?
It’s important that you have a secondary income so you’re not totally reliant on your artwork. Keep your art a passion or hobby and while doing so approach galleries with a good collection of your work. Be careful not to launch yourself too soon, and perhaps ask a fellow artist with more experience to critique your work. This can only help you to improve and ensure that when a gallery does take your work that it will sell and you can turn your passion into a career.
Tips on selecting art for your home…
Always buy something you love and not only for investment purposes. Also, consider how long you might be living in that one home, and that what fits a particular wall with a certain colour scheme or style might not in your new home. So essentially buy art you love, no matter what the investment potential or décor fit.
Any exciting projects you are currently working on?
I am working on expanding my mystical painting collection, which is very exciting and allows me to be as creative and free thinking as possible. I am finalising a painting for a client of Elands Bay at my home studio. I am also putting the finishing touches on a painting of fishing huts near Simonstown (you can watch me do this live at the Red Gallery in Tokai), and lastly a commission for the Arniston Hotel, which is a panorama of the fishing village, bay and hotel.
Always buy something you love and not only for investment purposes. Also, consider how long you might be living in that one home, and that what fits a particular wall with a certain colour scheme or style might not in your new home. So essentially buy art you love, no matter what the investment potential or décor fit.
Any exciting projects you are currently working on?
I am working on expanding my mystical painting collection, which is very exciting and allows me to be as creative and free thinking as possible. I am finalising a painting for a client of Elands Bay at my home studio. I am also putting the finishing touches on a painting of fishing huts near Simonstown (you can watch me do this live at the Red Gallery in Tokai), and lastly a commission for the Arniston Hotel, which is a panorama of the fishing village, bay and hotel.
VISIT:
Sea Point
Betty’s Bay
Greyton
Seascape
River scene
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