Marcella Cooper Art | woman countryside cottage painting

About Marcella

I am an artist living in rural Suffolk in a 16thc thatched cottage with my husband, two border terriers called Molly and Jack and the recent memory of our two black cats who reached the grand old age of 21 years. I reached an Epiphany moment after moving to our cottage in the Suffolk countryside and began producing lino cuts inspired by the strong connection I felt to the landscape I was surrounded by. When one image wouldn't work as a lino print I found myself reverting back to paint and hence 'Luna' became the first painting I had done in years. It then became evident that my approach to painting had become influenced by the simpler images produced during the printing process and this in turn began to inform my new work, which evolved to become more naive in style (which surprised me but I welcomed).

After 3 years at university studying Fine Art and being strongly encouraged to be conceptual in my work I went on to find great solace in painting in a style that felt more honest and reflected who I was and what I was really interested in. Being quite introverted by nature, home takes centre stage in my work and I often find myself inspired by my free time spent pottering around the cottage, cooking, reading, gardening and walking in the beautiful countryside outside our door. I use my interiors and the everyday objects in my home for inspiration, whether its my crockery, my favourite teapot and mug, Roberts Radio or the Kilim Rugs on the floors. Simple chores and taking time to be still and present in the moment are reflected back into my work. I see great beauty in simple things and celebrate living slowly. I work in a heavily beamed room at the front of the cottage that I call my studio. In here I also have my printing press (a converted antique washing mangle!) that I use when creating my lino prints. I usually have Molly on my lap, with Jack curled up somewhere nearby.

I have been extremely well supported by the 3 main galleries who sell my original paintings:

Jeremy at Primavera in Cambridge has been an enthusiastic and encouraging supporter of my work since he set eyes on my first painting, and I was delighted to have such success in my solo exhibition there in 2019.

Debbie at Church Street Gallery in Saffron Walden was the first to give me my first solo exhibition, and has been a constant support.

Karen at Southwold Art Gallery gave me the warmest of welcomes when I started there in April 2023

I have had several commissions that I have taken on in between producing new work for the galleries.

My work has been used and encouraged by 'Green Pebble' publishing house for their designs for their greeting card range, notebooks and calendars.