Meet Kristine Cooper | Artist & Founder of Cooper Art and Abode

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristine Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristine, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I resonated with small business owners even before I began my own endeavor. In 2016 I graduated with a fine arts degree in my hand, which provided a deep understanding to create art, but very little to becoming a business owner. This placed me on a path of self discovery after graduating. I worked for several other small businesses working closely with the business owner to absorb as much knowledge as I could until 2020 when I knew it was the time for me to take a bold step in my career path.

I created my business to share my art with the world and bring color and vibrancy to the life we live. What I have built didn’t happen overnight, it came together with consistently stepping forward and doing 1% better everyday. It’s a true joy of mine to look back at old photos and see how far I’ve come as everyday is developing something new.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My artist journey began when I was a kid. I discovered art as a way to escape from the pain that existed in my house growing up. I found myself obsessed with coloring, and I had constant visions of new ideas to create. I didn’t grow up in a home surrounded with art or artists, so I didn’t even know that art could be a profession until I was in college. I tried to study other topics besides art in college, but kept finding myself happiest with art. Deciding to be an artist wasn’t an easy decision, it was unsupported by my family and misunderstood by those who were closest to me. It’s the classic narrative of ‘you’ll be a broke starving artist.’

After graduating in 2016, I went on to work for other small businesses while simultaneously making my art in the late evenings until 1am. In 2020 I was fired from my full time job as an interior designer and, knowing that the time was right, decided to take the leap of beginning my art practice full time. The shift into being full time allowed me to create stronger work, grow my business, and really live true to myself.

There are so many challenges as an artist, where does one begin? One challenge I overcame was learning how to value my work. No one else can value your work more than you value it yourself. I hear a lot of artists say they hate their work and I’ve felt that too in the past. I’ve outgrown that idea, and instead have leaned more into loving my work, and creating the work first for myself not for anyone else. When I create the work that I enjoy, I find that I can value it and in return others love it more.

A few other lessons I’ve uncovered include not pressuring the work, and moving away from a scarcity mindset. When I say pressuring the work, I mean the concept of artists going into the studio and forcing the work out instead of letting it flow. When I don’t feel like painting, I don’t. This freedom lets me create the best work when I’m in the right frame of mind. Forcing my art to be created only makes me frustrated and more apprehensive to go back to the studio to create. Moving away from a scarcity mindset is difficult. I once had a client come to my studio and tell me to take the discount she was offering on my art piece or she will walk away. I started to shake, and I told her I couldn’t accept her offer as the piece was brand new, one month later it sold for it’s full price. It’s difficult to say no in the moment, because inside you may be thinking maybe that’s the best you can get, but now I’m a firm believer that if someone loves your work and wants to support your artist practice they won’t intimidate you with offers.

I want the world to know my art is made with intention. Behind each of my pieces lies a story. The abstract artworks I create hold a story of processing my day to day life, while the abstracted landscapes hold the stories of the places my partner and I travel to. My art is designed to expand the mind and bring a fresh way of seeing the land we live on. There is a story behind each item I create, but my goal is that you write your own story when you view the work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Terrebonne, OR a little short drive outside of Bend, OR.

In a week long trip I would have quite a few things that I would take them to discover! One of the best things this area has to offer is the beautiful nature that inspires a lot of my artwork.

Day 1
Smith Rock State Park & bring a picnic for the top of Misery Ridge

Day 2
Drive to Bend and get Sparrow Bakery for Breakfast
Float the Deschutes River & grab a beer from Crux brewery afterwards

Day 3
Pick a beautiful lake around Central Oregon to paddle board and bring a BBQ dinner

Day 4
Go explore downtown Bend, OR and check out some lovely downtown shops. Some of my favorites include Dudley Book Store, Lark Mountain Modern and Furnish. I also love to grab an americano from Thump Coffee.

Day 5
Go to Sisters, OR and hike in one of the beautiful destinations around the area. I’ve found some beautiful wildflower hikes that are truly inspiring! Afterwards grab pizza and a beer from the Barn in Sisters.

Day 6
Take a longer drive out of Bend to the Alvord Desert for hot springs and a cool drive across the playa!

Day 7
Relax and hang out with the new friends you’ve found here!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My story and journey deserves a shoutout to my mentors, my partner Evan and most importantly the supporters of my art. Beginning something new was a huge leap of faith, and I wouldn’t be here today without the people who believed in me and my creative vision. At the start of my business I was also deep diving into meditation, manifestation and listening to podcasts with entrepreneurs to help assist in me seeing the vision come to life.

Website: cooperartandabode.com

Instagram: @cooperartandabode

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-cooper-703950a3/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/cooperartandabode/

Image Credits
Select Photos by Noah Nigel