Artist Bio

Dale Robert Cooper

Dale R. Cooper was born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, in 1954 and moved to the west coast in 1966 when his father left the Air force. He would draw a lot as a child but soon grew out of it when school was a priority. It was while working for the City of Burnaby in the sanitation dept. in 1981 that his life would change. After an injury left him sidelined for 4 months he started to draw again out of boredom.

Dale started thinking about his future and with the encouragement of an art teacher enrolled in the Graphics and Visual Design program at Kwantlen College Surrey BC – where he honed his skills as an artist. For the next 30 years Mr. Cooper has worked as a sports illustrator and fine artist with two stints as official artist of the 1988 and 1998 Winter Olympics to name a few.

Dales work is described as blending abstract with the real, creating a balance of exciting backgrounds with a detailed focal point. Dales work does not fit any one genre, but he is comfortable painting landscapes, florals and wildlife as well as abstracts.

Dale, loving wife Kelly, daughter Megan and son Justin make their home in Armstrong, BC Canada

Artist Statement

I love the brush stroke, always have always will! My work is built on the brushstroke. I have always started my paintings with an abstract background and built brushstrokes up over top. My premise in creating art is combining abstract with real causing friction and providing something for everyone.

In developing my abstract art I use 2”, 3” and 4” brushes. I start applying strokes over a sketched and painted background which is done using wet in wet strokes. I then try to capture movement and life — making the brush dance and the paint sing. Everything is captured in the spontaneous movement of the brush as it meets the canvas. Leonardo Da Vinci said, ““Art is never finished, only abandoned”. So I abandon it when things have progressed to the point where it looks good in a mirror!

Dale Robert Cooper

Born 1954 Portage La Prairie, Manitoba

Education: Diploma of Associate, Graphics and Visual Design Program

Kwantlen College Surrey BC 1986

Fine Art History – Okanagan University College – Kelowna BC 1993

Exhibitions

1987

1987 September – Jack Gibson Studios Richmond – Exhibition and Sale
1987 August – Surrey Art Gallery – two paintings juried into exhibition

1988

1988 August 7, – Natures Window Art Gallery Burnaby – Exhibition and Sale
1988 Three Paintings included in Exhibition and Winter Olympics Permanent Collection (Calgary 1988)
1988 November – Natures Window Art Gallery Burnaby – Exhibition and Sale

1989

1989 April – Jack Gibson Studios Richmond – Exhibition and Sale
1989 November – Jack Gibson Studios Richmond – Gallery Artist Exhibition

1990

1990 September 28, – Jenkins Showler Gallery White Rock – Inaugural Exhibition

1991

1991 May – Jack Gibson Studios Richmond – Exhibition and Sale
1991 November – Jenkins Showler Gallery – Two Man Show (Mike Svob)

1992

1992 April – Glenmore Gallery – Exhibition and Sale
1992 September – Glenmore Gallery – Gallery Artist Exhibition
1992 November – The Peters Gallery – Exhibition and Sale

1993

1993 November – Western Lights Artist Group – Included in Annual Show (Calgary)

1994

1994 April – Western Lights Artist Group – Annual Miniatures Show and Sale
1994 November – The Evans Gallery – Solo Exhibition Kelowna BC

1995

1995 April – The Evans Gallery – Miniatures Show Kelowna BC

1996

1996 December – Tokyo, The Canadian Embassy – launch of the Olympic Prints and show of original works.
1996 December – The Yugawara Racquet Club, Tokyo – Show and sale of Originals

1998

1998 February – Official Olympic Artist –Exhibition – Canada House, Nagano Japan

2000

2000 December – Solo Exhibition – Marshal Clark Galleries – Tsawwassen BC

2002

2002 December – Tutt Street Gallery, Gallery Show Kelowna, BC.

Corporate Collections and Commissions – Partial List

Federation Cup World Tennis, commemorative poster – 1987
75^th Grey Cup Commemorative poster – 1987
1988 Winter Olympics Calgary Alberta – commemorative posters and originals in permanent collection
American Express Corporation – Permanent Collection
Imperial Tobacco Corporation – Permanent Collection
Tennis Canada – 10^th Annual commissioned painting
Athletics Canada – Ben Johnson Sprinter
NHL, NBA, CFL – posters and prints
Asahi Archery Company, Tokyo Japan
Art in Motion – Publisher
Canadian Art Prints – Publisher
1998 Olympic Winter Games Nagano, Japan – Official Artist and Official Artist of the Canadian Olympic Team
Touring show – 12 galleries Tokyo, Japan 1998