Artist Statement
Richard D. Kopp, born in 1955 in New Albany, Indiana, is a contemporary painter based in Clarksville, Indiana. His work focuses on abstract landscapes and figurative art, often incorporating elements of personal narratives. Kopp's artistic style reflects a deep engagement with storytelling through visual expression.
Technique and Process
My artistic process begins with drawing on canvas or board using chalk pastels, allowing me to sketch and redefine shapes and the horizon line multiple times. This foundational stage encourages exploration and flexibility in composition. I then build on this base by applying bold colors with pastels, followed by acrylic paint to emphasize and refine shapes and lines.
A key aspect of my approach involves layering. Using a combination of pastels and paint, I cover and rework previously painted areas, creating depth and complexity in the composition. In the later stages, I photograph the painting and employ digital tools, such as Photoshop, to experiment with color shifts, textures, and the integration of additional imagery. This digital experimentation informs the evolution of the physical painting, though not all digital alterations are incorporated into the final work.
What distinguishes my technique is the fluid interplay between traditional materials and digital experimentation. This dynamic process allows for constant reinvention and exploration, ensuring each piece remains vibrant and uniquely reflective of my creative vision.
Style
My style is characterized by the abstraction of both the human figure and the surrounding space, creating a dynamic interplay between form and environment. Mark making is a vital aspect of my work, providing a sense of energy and movement that is counterbalanced by shallow planes of color, which add a contemplative quality to the composition.
Artists such as Jim Dine, whose approach inspires my exploration of shape and depth, influence the gestural mark making and implied spatial relationships in my work. This blend of techniques often results in pieces that are both paintings and drawings, embodying a hybrid quality that distinguishes my style.
Artistic Motivation
I create art driven by a deep creative urge and a desire to discover beauty. My work often explores the human condition within abstract landscapes, reflecting personal narratives and themes of self. While some pieces carry intimate stories, I also pursue art for its own sake, embracing the possibilities and processes inherent in creation.
Education
University of Delaware, MFA
Indiana University Southeast, BA Fine Arts
Teaching
Professor Emeritus, 28 Years
Purdue University, Computer Graphics Technology Department
Exhibitions
2024 Kleinhelter Gallery, New Albany, IN "Small Works Invitational"
2024 IOOF Lorraine Lodge, Louisville, KY "Odd Art Show" Benefit October 5th.
2024 Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery, New Albany, IN "New Works" Carl DeGraff and Richard Kopp
May 24 -June 28
2024 Slyck Gallery, New Albany, IN "Solo Exhibit" Ends March 15th
2023 Kleinhelter Gallery, New Albany, IN "Small Works Invitational"
2023 Chestnuts and Pearls Gallery, New Albany, IN "Happening Group Exhibit"
2022 Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery, New Albany, IN "Group Exhibit"
2022 Jeffersonville City Hall Foyer Gallery, Jeffersonville, IN "Solo Exhibit"
2022 STEAM Center Gallery, New Albany, IN "Faculty Exhibit"
2019 STEAM Center Gallery, New Albany, IN "Faculty Exhibit"
2015 Horseshoe Hotel Gallery, Elizabeth, IN Solo Exhibit “Recompositions”
2011 Arts Council of Southern Indiana, New Albany, IN “Monarch Butterfly Exhibit” Group Exhibit
2010 Arts Council of Southern Indiana, New Albany, IN “Summer Art Show” Group Exhibit
2008 Actors Theater, Louisville, KY Group Exhibit
2004 Mary Anderson Biennial, Carnegie Center for Art and History, New Albany, IN Group Exhibit
