about

Oil-based painter with an eye toward dramatic cityscapes and industrial forms.

Sophie grew up in the French Alps and was first introduced to oil painting while taking art classes in her late 20s. For many years she dedicated her time to plein air landscapes of the French Alps and Southern California coast while studying figure drawing and portraiture.

Sophie’s transition to scenes dominated by architectural structures began with her series of Southern California Piers. The juxtaposition of the piers' striking geometry amidst the ocean's fluid, shifting water enabled her to represent a single subject in various ways.

Over time, Sophie became increasingly drawn to urban and industrial scenes, and eventually started the Water Tank series after a visit to New York City. She is continually fascinated by the shapes of these historic water tanks as they perch over the city's skyscrapers and the jungle of energy and life below.

Affiliations

Publications

  • ”Towering Obsession: Cooper’s Water Tank Wonders Back on Tour” in Montecito Journal, August 2024

  • ”Local Artists: Sophie Cooper” in Santa Barbara Neighbors & Montecito Neighbors, March 2023

  • ”On Art: Sophie Cooper, Painter” in Santa Barbara Sentinel, September 2017

  • ”Sophie’s Choice: Water Tanks” in Montecito Journal, September 2015

  • ”A View from After Art School” in Scene Magazine, June 2012

Representation