$2,900.00
b.1959
Born in Colorado, Melissa was raised with the appreciation of wildlife and art. Both of her parents are established artists–her mother a china painter and her father a sculptor. For ten years, she assisted her father in finishing pieces at the foundry level before ever sculpting work of her own. With the basics behind her, her work has evolved into the style you see today. From monument size cougars and bears that will stare you down to tabletop bunnies that will steal your heart, Melissa has a natural ability to capture the spirit of life and emotion in each of her sculptures.
The face is the most important part of the piece, the place where she can most express herself. It is also the most detailed area of her pieces, as she tends to portray with rest of the body with smooth lines and simplicity. She refers her style as “realistic impressionism” and “robust or fluffy.” She uses patina as another way to express texture in her work. Although Melissa has found her own style she insists she is still evolving. Melissa works out of her studio in Littleton, Colorado. She has two grown children and her family comes first, her work second. Most importantly “I give the Lord the thanks for the gifts he has given me.”
Melissa Cooper Sculpture, Bronze 7.5 X 11 (Interest categories: Bronze, Natural Sublime, Birds, Sculpture, Sculptures and Accent Pieces, Fine Art, Art Gallery, Melissa Cooper Artist)
1. Clay – Chavant Le Beau Touche. Get the regular clay, not HM (high melt).
2. Clay warming devices, a metal bucket with a clamp on heat lamp or 100 W bulb works great.
3. Tie wire.
4. Aluminum foil.
5. Scissors.
6. Favorite sculpture tools.
7. Plank of wood (pine) approximately 8″ x 8″ x 2″.
Bring as many planks as you wish…the wood is used as the base for your sculpture.
8. Plumber’s pipe, 1/2″ threaded: Bring several different lengths…up to 10″…not PVC pipe.
Plumber’s pipe T joint.
Plumber’s pipe couplers.
Plumber’s pipe flange.
9. Screws and screwdriver to secure the flange to wood…this may be done before you arrive. (Place flange in the center of plank)
10. Wire cutters
11. Needle nose pliers
12. Rubber mallet.
13. Spatula
14. Measuring devices such as rulers, measuring tape, dividers, and calipers.
15. Because we concentrate on BIRDS IN FLIGHT, live models in the classroom are more distracting than useful. I will demonstrate the technique of constructing a cantilevered bird armature that can be used for many different bird species and will show you how to assemble shapes to capture the “gist” of the specific bird.
16. Bird field guides such as Peterson, Stokes, Golden, or Sibley. Sibley’s Guide to Birds (not Sibley’s Guide to Bird Life and Behavior) is best if bringing only one field guide. This popular book can usually be purchased at any bookstore.
17. Bring your laptop to the class if possible.
18. Bring your sketchbook.
1 Lake Circle Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
broadmoorgalleries.com
