Meet Melissa Cooper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Cooper.

Hi Melissa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Just out of high school, I started working for my dad who is also a sculptor. He needed help with filling orders so I started working in the foundry on his work from pouring waxes, cleaning waxes also cleaning metalwork and patina. I helped him for 10 years.

One year I decided I would sculpt him a Christmas present and that started something in me, I love how the clay felt in my hand and I loved creating something that was just my own. My first works at sculpting were figurative. Then I moved on to wildlife and birds.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Because of my early knowledge of the art of castings foundry, I didn’t find any obstacles or challenges as far as sculpting goes. I was well acquainted with the casting process from the beginning of my career.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At this time in my sculpting career, I love to be challenged. Being new and different in the art community is very important to stay fresh and keep my work always evolving. I have really loved sculpting birds I love their attitudes I love their gestures. But most of all I love to try to capture their personalities in my sculpting. I’ve always loved sculpting fat and fluffy.

Whether it’s birds or wildlife, I think it just adds to their personality. The eyes are very important. The eyes capture life in the piece I’m sculpting. That’s the first thing you look at when you view a piece of art the eyes the tilt of the head their pasture, altogether speak for themselves.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Other than taking a piece of clay that is a lump of nothingness and making it into something that represents what I perceive, enjoy, and wildlife.

But the one thing that makes me happiest is that someone would actually want to buy a piece of sculpture, put it in their homes, and enjoy them.

Find my work at:
Broadmoor Gallery
Bronze Coast Gallery
Breckenridge Gallery

Image Credits
Image Maker