Interview with Artist J.A.Cooper
Every year i look forward to going to Penn’s Colony festival in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. Not just for the great food and entertainment but there is a particular artist there that I seek out to see her newest work. This year she did not disappoint, with lots more of her beautiful paintings that seem to walk off the the painted canvas. I took the opportunity this time to interview her for my site…enjoy.
Holly: What made you want to start painting?
J.A. Cooper:
I have always been fascinated by art but I decided to be “responsible” and seek a stable career doing medical research. I earned a master’s in genetics from Penn State in 1998. After doing research for a couple years I realized that I was immensely unhappy and decided that unless I was doing what I love, there was no point to living that way. So, I changed directions and made art my career.
Holly: How did you know you wanted to make a business of it?
J.A. Cooper: In order to survive and pay the mortgage I needed to approach art as a business.
Holly: What all do you do with this business?
J.A. Cooper: I paint history, do portrait, still life, and landscape commissions, and teach students out of my studio.
Holly: What were your trouble points if any and how did you rectify it?
J.A. Cooper: Cash flow is always a concern. It is a “feast or famine” kind of business. In other words, I don’t get a steady paycheck so I need to be very responsible about what I use my money for and how much I put back into the business.
Holly: I remember you telling me that you had trouble with skin tone how did you learn to fix this?
J.A. Cooper: By reading books by currently working artists as well as studying the old masters of the Renaissance. I also went to museums and studied how other artists solved the same problems I was struggling with.
Holly: How many years have you been painting now?
J.A. Cooper: 6 years.
Holly: Did you win any awards?
J.A. Cooper: Yes, I have won several awards. I have also been invited to teach at conferences and participate in numerous shows.
Holly: How are sales?
J.A. Cooper: Strong.
Holly: Anything you would have done differently?
J.A. Cooper: I think everyone wishes they did some things differently. So far, it is only small things in my life. I am not sure about the big things yet as I am still an emerging artist early in my career. I am still feeling my way, so I don’t have the perspective to know what big things I should have done differently. I will have a better answer to this question in about ten years.
Holly: What is the hardest part of the business?
J.A. Cooper: Not having the security of a regular job.
Holly: I think You said you work 18 hrs a day explain what that consist of?
J.A. Cooper: More like 15 hours a day. I answer emails and do the chore type stuff that goes along with a business-the books, paying bills, mailing out packages, etc. Then I go to my studio and paint for 6 hours or so. Then I may teach some students for a few hours, then I paint until 1 am or so.
Holly: Do you have any advice for people who want to start this type of work as a profession?
J.A. Cooper: Work very hard and never stop learning.
Holly: Any books that you suggest for people wanting to start this as a profession?
J.A. Cooper: Read as much art history and art philosophy as you can.
Check out her website on all her beautiful works of art. http://www.jacooper.com/J._A._Cooper,_The_Art_of_History/Home.html
She also teaches classes at her shop at : 212 West main street, Ligonier, PA 15658
724-771-4102.
