b. 1978, Perryton, TX "Most of my artistic inspiration comes from nature and textured materials. When I was younger I painted landscapes and old trees. I was inspired by the subtle colors and rough textures of stone. I was intrigued by old weathered walls and oxidized, weathered metals. I like to replicate this sensibility and texture in my work. Coming from a watercolor background, I enjoy painting in layers. I slightly thin my paint or use glazes for transparency and let the textures and colors build with each layer. At times I may sand off portions of the piece, letting the colors from underneath come through. I like to create work that has amazing depth and under-glowing effects. I enjoy getting the viewer involved, leaving them wanting to reach out and touch the work. Every painting is an experiment to me. I strive to continually grow and push the envelope to create something more dynamic and interesting with every painting."
|
|---|
Cody Hooper grew up in North Texas and now lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His passion for art began at a young age. As a child he was surrounded by art and music, along with the beauty of the Southwest landscape, inspiring his interest in fine art.
Hooper was given the opportunity to study under Southwest watercolor artist, Barbara Hughes, for several years. This set his foundation as an artist, and throughout his early years he focused primarily on realistic watercolors. Hughes is noted as one of Hooper's finest mentors, who lit a fire in his spirit that fueled his passion for becoming a professional artist.
After many years of painting in watercolors, Hooper moved forward, experimenting with abstracts in various mediums. This pushed him to expand his horizons and tap into new areas of painting he had not yet explored. There was an obvious freedom and personal expression with abstraction and it was then that he really began to flourish. He was deeply interested in the effects of color, texture and the emotional response to strong composition and design. By removing the representational and creating something that told a story without an observational subject matter was very exciting, posing a challenge for his current direction.
Today, Hooper's work is a bold mix of styles, ranging from sleek and contemporary to weathered and organic. He brings a subtle and sophisticated feel to his paintings through a unique balance of color, composition and texture. His work is featured in private and public collections across the US and Europe.