Artist Residency and Creative Process: In Conversation with Cooper - Part II

Maeve: Since January, you’ve been using our Shepherd Market gallery as a working artist’s studio. Can you give us an insight into your practice since you’ve been here?

Cooper: It’s always difficult to start a new painting when you’re looking at a blank canvas. To ease the process, I’ve been placing my main subject matter in the compositions first. Whether it’s a stereo or a table that you might find in your living room, focusing on the foundation of a painting has really helped to ease that initial anxiety of beginning a piece.

Maeve: Can you describe your process?

Cooper: A lot of what I’ve studied and am interested in is still lifes, particularly those of Picasso and Matisse. I have many of their books, and both artists frequently use tables as the starting point of their works. Like them, I often use a table as the building block of a painting.

Maeve: How has the residency in Mayfair influenced your work? Particularly as you have been producing new canvases in such a public location.

Cooper: This has been one of the most challenging aspects of my Maddox residency. With people stopping by every day and observing me through the window, I’ve quickly got used to being exposed in my daily practice. It’s really helped me break through another barrier. Before, I wouldn’t allow anyone to see my paintings until they were finished. Now, I am happy to share works in progress. Being in London has had a major influence on the patterns I’m bringing into my paintings. You will notice in some of my newer still lifes, the floral patterns are heavily influenced by London. There is a rich, Victorian-esque feel to them which gives the paintings a completely different vibe.

Maeve: Of course, you’re close to Buckingham Palace, to Hyde Park, to Green Park, which all have a Victorian feel to them. Even the gates to Green Park are Victorian. How are you balancing painting with being available to greet people?

Cooper: One of the big differences with working here, at Shepherd Market, is being open to talk to visitors while also concentrating on what I need to create for my upcoming exhibition at Berkeley Street. It’s been great. I’ve met a lot of new collectors and friends, and people who are being exposed to my work for the first time. Their enthusiasm gives me the inspiration to keep going. Some days are more challenging than others in the studio. You’re slinging paint, and sometimes you lose your vision. When someone comes in and says, wow, I really love your work, it gives me an immediate energy boost.

Maeve: Would you recommend a residency to other artists?

Cooper: Definitely. While spending six months in a city you’ve only visited briefly might seem like a scary prospect, you’re exposed every day and are really living the experience. I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here through meeting people, attending other artists’ shows, seeing a lot of art about the city, just taking London in. I’ve seen so many inspirational artists that I have always admired but never seen in real life. And the Maddox team has been fantastic and so accommodating. They’ve made the whole experience joyful.

Maeve: How are you feeling about your upcoming solo exhibition at Maddox Berkeley Street now that show time is only two months away?

Cooper: The closer it gets, the more excited I feel - the paintings I’m creating are evolving in an interesting way. I can’t wait to reveal some very large pieces I’ve been working on. They’re the biggest scale I’ve ever made, with one measuring 15m x 15m. To bring the exhibition to life, I’m also planning to paint directly onto the wall of the gallery.

Maeve: Are there any other exciting projects you’re working on? I heard a rumour that you’re going to be painting live in a garden.

Cooper: Yes, for a couple of days I’m going to be live painting in Holland Park in the lead up to the exhibition. I created several works en plein air in the Swiss Alps during my artist residency in Gstaad last year. It was such a fun experience; I’m really looking forward to recreating it here.

Maeve Doyle. is the Artistic Director of Maddox Gallery.

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