Gabi Cooper Art

09/03/2026

Before I go and buy anything new, I thought I'd check with my local Facebook friends and family first!

I'm gathering supplies and décor for an upcoming creative event and am looking for:

• Plastic storage totes

• Cream or white linens, fabric, scarves, or table runners that I could dye

• Rust, burnt orange, or deep fig-colored fabrics

• Small brass décor-candlesticks, trays, bowls, little vases, etc.

I'd be happy to borrow and return décor afterward, or gladly give a new home to anything you've been wanting to clear out!

09/01/2026

Here’s all the artsy fartsy things I’m getting into this September!

Sept. 5th • Downtown Art Walk
New Martinsville • 1–4 PM
I’ll have new prints, originals, and some little hand-painted items!

Sept. 17th • Words to Carry
Barista’s Back Deck • 6:30–8 PM • $35
A cozy guided evening of reflection, gratitude, and meaningful rock painting. All materials are included with only 20 spots available! Message me if interested!

Sept. 25th–27th • Paden City Marble Fest •
Paden City Park • 9 AM • Find me there with Marble Fest artwork, prints, stickers and a few sparkly little surprises!

September will be exciting!

08/31/2026

the places, colors, and little moments inspiring what i’m making next

tomorrow: what’s coming in September

08/19/2026

Come join me Thursday, September 17th at 6:30 for a guided river rock painting + reflection workshop on the back deck at Baristas!

September always feels like such an in-between time to me. Summer is ending, fall is starting, and we’re heading into those colder, quieter months where I feel like life naturally gets a little more reflective anyway. So I thought….why not actually make some space for that???

We’ll have a few simple prompts to think and journal about. What do you want to carry with you into this next season? What are you ready to leave behind? What do you need to remember when life gets busy or heavy or just feels a little too loud?

And then we’re going to paint river rocks.

I’ll have lots of little examples and ideas there to get you started, and I’ll show you some simple ways to add lettering, tiny flowers and plants, little symbols, patterns, images from nature, and other small details to your rocks. I’ll help you figure out how to take whatever word, thought, or feeling you landed on and turn it into something visual that feels like you. There’ll be plenty of paint colors, brushes, paint pens, and everything else you need to play around with it! A word, a tiny picture, a symbol, a color, a little reminder to yourself… whatever comes out of what you were thinking about that evening/week. I also love the little connection to our first gathering. Last time we painted the river, and this time we’re painting rocks from the river. Just another little way to make something inspired by the place around us and take a piece of it home with you.

And if you came to my first gathering and still have the little painted river rock from your gift bag, BRING IT BACK WITH YOU! I love the idea of that little rock making its way into the next gathering too, so if you bring yours, you’ll get $5 off your ticket.

There’ll be music playing, drinks available from Baristas Pub, and time to sit around and talk and laugh and maybe get a little emotional because that’s always allowed too! Come alone. Bring your mom. Bring your sister or daughter or your best friend. You absolutely do not have to know anyone! A little art, a little nature, good music, good conversation, and hopefully you leave feeling a little lighter and carrying something you need to remember heading into fall and winter.

Message me if you want a spot!

08/12/2026

IT’S COMPLETE!!!

I had the opportunity to create the artwork for the 2026 official Paden City Marble Fest T-shirt. Getting to create something that brings together art, local history, nature, and community is pretty much my favorite kind of project. I wanted the design to celebrate Paden City’s marble history while tucking in pieces of our people, our stories, the Ohio River, and some of the beautiful and sometimes whimsy little bits of nature that make this spot of Appalachia magical. There are Easter eggs hiding throughout if you look closely. You’ll find the hat of local marble making artist and legend, Sam Hogue, a Great Blue Heron, an odd fellow marble made by Paden City resident and marble making artist, Steve Strother II, a tiny glowing Blue Ghost firefly, a Purple Cat’s Paw mussel shell, and a few other little details that have stories behind them.

Blue Ghost fireflies are found throughout Appalachia and are considered extremely rare here in West Virginia. The Purple Cat’s Paw is a federally endangered freshwater mussel historically found in the Ohio River. A huge thank you to the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Williamstown for patiently answering all of my random mussel shell questions, to my mom and friends for listening to too many ideas and giving me their thoughts along the way, and especially to Steve for asking me to create this year’s T-shirt design and trusting me. I’m really grateful I got to be a little part of something that celebrates such a special piece of Paden City’s history.

Stay tuned for T-shirts, prints and stickers!!

And I hope to see you the last weekend of September at Paden City Park for the Paden City Marble Fest!

08/03/2026

Yesterday marked my very first community creative workshop, and I’m feeling incredibly grateful!

Thank you to everyone who supported this idea from the very beginning. What I hoped to create was more than a painting class. I wanted to offer a space where people could slow down, connect with one another, and find inspiration in the beauty of our local community and the natural world.

I’m especially thankful to everyone who helped make the atmosphere feel so welcoming, and to the wonderful women who trusted me enough to be part of something brand new.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be reflecting on the experience and gathering feedback as I begin planning future workshops.

I’d also love to collaborate with more local artists, makers, musicians, florists, bakers, photographers, wellness practitioners, and other small businesses who share a passion for bringing people together. If that sounds like you, I’d love to connect.

This feels like the beginning of something meaningful, and I’m excited to see where the journey leads.

07/28/2026

Here’s a little peek at what we’ll be creating together this Sunday.

One of my favorite things about sunsets is that no two are ever the same. I hope our paintings won’t be either.

We’ll all begin with the same Ohio River landscape, but each person will make it their own. I’ll guide you through blending, tips for painting landscapes, and adding raised texture with stencils. Then you’ll choose how to finish it by highlighting the texture with whatever colors speak to you! I’ll be sharing some of my favorite sunset photographs from Paden City Park and the Ohio River in the comments for inspiration, and photos will be provided at the event as well. Feel free to recreate one, borrow colors from several, or simply create your own on Sunday!

My hope is that you leave with more than a painting. I hope you leave with new techniques, a little inspiration, and a peaceful afternoon spent slowing down and creating. I can’t wait to paint with all of you on Sunday. 🌿

07/17/2026

Join us for an afternoon of creativity, conversation, and community. 🌿

Whether you’ve painted for years or have never picked up a brush, this workshop is for you. We’ll paint together step by step in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Our hope is that you’ll leave with more than just a finished painting - you’ll leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and connected with others.

Sunday in August Painting Party

Sunday, August 2 • 2:00 PM

Paden City Art Center
(Located in the former art room at Paden City High School’s Cornerstone Building.)

$35 per person

Your afternoon includes:
• Guided painting instruction
• All supplies provided
• A tiny take-home gift bag
• Light refreshments

Limited to 20 guests.

To reserve your spot, message Tasha Starkey, Jennifer Miller, or Gabi Cooper.

We can’t wait to create with you. 🪶🪴🤍

07/17/2026

🌱 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

For the past few years, I’ve been trying to pay attention to the things that make me come alive.

Every mural I’ve painted, the children’s book I illustrated, every workshop I’ve dreamed up, every bird I’ve stopped to watch, every trail I’ve wandered, and every conversation I’ve had with people in our community has been pointing me in the same direction. I’ve realized that my dream isn’t simply to become a full-time artist. I want to build something that brings people together through art, nature, storytelling, faith, and community.

I imagine watercolor workshops, paint nights, bird walks, nature journaling, seasonal gatherings, murals, children’s books, and creative experiences that encourage people to slow down, notice the beauty around them, reconnect with one another, and appreciate the wonder of the natural world. Someday, I’d love to have a welcoming studio where people of all ages can create, learn, laugh, and simply feel at home.

Right now, though, I’m at the beginning.

I’m learning as I go, saying yes to opportunities, making mistakes, figuring things out one step at a time, and slowly building this dream from the ground up. It’s exciting, a little scary, and something I care deeply about.

As I prepare for a Paint Party on August 2 at the Paden City Art Center, and begin hosting more community workshops, I’m realizing just how much goes into creating a space that feels warm and welcoming. If you’d like to help, there are three things I need most right now:

• 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫/𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐳𝐲 𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.

• 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 (𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬.

• 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐣𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

If you have any of those tucked away and would be willing to donate them, I would be incredibly grateful.

I’m also looking for new or gently used supplies such as:

Art supplies: acrylic paint, paint brushes, palettes, palette knives, table easels, hand towels, washcloths, canvases, watercolor supplies, and other creative materials.

Workshop supplies: aprons, extension cords, lamps, Dawn dish soap, folding tables, and anything else that helps workshops run smoothly.

Items to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere: quilt tops, pottery, vases, jars, vintage furniture, planters, rugs, tablecloths, driftwood, rocks, native flowers, plants, antique pieces, or anything that could help create a beautiful, inspiring gathering space.

Building materials or helping hands: If you enjoy building things, I’d love help creating display walls, shelving, easels, workshop furniture, planters, signs, or other handmade pieces that could become part of a space.

There are so many other ways you could help, too:

• Volunteer during workshops or community events.

• Sponsor a workshop or donate supplies if you own a business.

• Offer a venue that might be a good fit for an art or nature workshop.

• Share ideas for grants, funding opportunities, or community partnerships.

• Offer advice if you’ve built or run a small creative business.

• Reach out if you have a skill you’d someday like to teach alongside mine such as gardening, birding, herbalism, weaving, photography, writing, music, pottery, woodworking, or anything else that helps people slow down, create, and appreciate the world around them.

If you’d rather support financially, any donation, no matter the amount, will go directly toward building these workshops and purchasing supplies. And if you’re not in a position to give, that’s completely okay. Your encouragement, sharing this post, or simply coming to a future workshop means just as much.

I don’t have every detail figured out yet, and maybe that’s okay. I believe some of the best things are built one small step at a time, with a lot of help from a caring community.

If you’ve ever had an idea for a class, workshop, collaboration, or community event you’d love to see happen here in our area, I’d genuinely love to hear it. One of my biggest hopes is that this becomes something we build together.

Thank you for believing in me and in this dream. I hope it grows into something that serves our communities well as a space where people can make art, learn new skills, spend time in nature, share stories, build friendships, and be reminded of the beauty that surrounds us every day. My hope is that people leave feeling a little more hopeful, a little more connected, and inspired to notice the beauty in the places they call home.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐚 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚, 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞, 𝐚 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐈’𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦. 🌿

Thanks to Jennifer Marie and Hannah Shreves for being my incredible dream photographers 🤍

02/09/2026

Hi friends! I’m grateful to have a small piece published in Goldenseal Magazine, a publication that honors the land, people, and stories of West Virginia. Growing up I remember my Pap Leasure reading Goldenseal. I wish more than anything that he were here to read this story. He himself was a symbol of Appalachian grit, heart, and tradition.

I want to say thank you to my high school English teacher, Shelley Hulsey, for always making me feel seen and celebrated and for being a teacher who led with kindness. Thank you to my college folklore professor, Judy Byers, for helping me understand the power of storytelling and the importance of honoring this land and the people who belong to it. Thank you as well to Steve Strother for inviting me to help with the 2025 Marble Festival!

Even when things feel heavy close to home and far away, this place still matters to me. Our hills and hollers, our rivers and back roads, our artists, neighbors, and elders, and the quiet magic that keeps showing up anyway. I don’t want the ugliness in the world to harden me or take away my love for this place. I want to keep giving back to this Eden we get to exist in, to care for the land, and to honor Appalachia however I can, whenever I can.

If you read this piece I hope it makes you feel proud of where you live and grateful for what still exists here: nature, community, art, and connection in one of the most beautiful and magical places there is.

Story link:

Text and Photos By Gabi Cooper Life is a swirl of color and change, full of gentle motion, quiet lessons, and glimmers that guide us forward. At thirty, I