Artist Biography Like many artists, Coppock developed a love for art as a small child. From the time she could hold a pencil, she had already begun to draw. Growing up in Okanogan, in north-central Washington, she found herself doodling in school and whenever she had occasion to do so. Desiring to expand her talents, she began to read, teaching herself to use many types of media, such as watercolor, pastels, oils and acrylics, and pen and ink. She even invented her own style, painting with pastels and then using pen and ink to bring out detail. Photography became the foundation for most of Coppock's art, and continues to play a major part in her work. Fortunately, she was able to use her father's darkroom when she was young and through ongoing experimentation learned to see and photograph scenes from multiple angles, a skill she feels has made her a better artist. She had given the matter a great deal of thought and decided to get into etching, since not many artists were using that media. She even ordered a small press to get her started.It was at that point that Barbara knew she wanted to do her art full-time and trust that the press would support them. She had taught herself to use other media; now she would learn to use the etching press, by making hundreds of 2x4 etchings. Deciding to focus on Montana subjects, she started turning out as many as she could and then sent them with a friend to the C.M. Russell auction in Great Falls. In short order, he sold everything she had sent with him. That meant that she could, indeed, make a living at it. So, she picked about six galleries in Montana and began selling her work. Her work sold well, and she used whatever profit she made to upgrade her equipment and expand her business. By 1990, Barb had earned enough of a reputation for her work that she had to turn galleries down. By that point, she was selling about 1,000 etchings per year. Some galleries were even selling pieces before she made them, giving her a constant source of work and income. Although she has dropped from 25 galleries to four as the financial climate of the nation becomes less and less favorable to art sales, Barbara says she is not done. "I'll always do etching," she said. "I just won't work on it as hard as I once did. I guess you could say it's the difference between running a truck garden and having a flowerbed. I've slowed down, but I continue to do some original work just for my own soul." Likely, she said, she will turn her focus, once again, to oils, pen and ink and water color in the hope of finding a new market. But there will always be a sort of romance between her and the art of etching. Links to other Etchings Artists Gretchen Fellerhoff-White Barb Coppock SITE MENU Riecke's Bayside Gallery Box 363 - 482 Electric Avenue Bigfork, MT 59911 (406) 837 5335

Barbara Coppock Etchings All Prices Subject to Change Without Notice On this page are items 1 to 1 of 1 item.   Winner's Circle 4x6 - $0.00 CALL FOR PRICE 33/90 For a larger view of this item or to order click on image.   These items currently being displayed by title. They can also be display by: DATE LISTED RETURN TO ARTIST LIST