This publication is the fifth collection of drawings and paintings by the illustrator and fine artist J.A.W. Cooper. It documents Cooper’s personal struggle through guilt, mourning and, finally, acceptance as the artist lost and then refound a love for their craft after taking a two-year hiatus. Through imagery revolving around the cycles of life and death, seasons, joy and pain, Cooper explores the relationship between making art and an unhealthy reliance on it for self-worth and identity. Cooper discovered that art is the result of one’s experiences on this earth and not the reason for them. This awareness fueled experiments with various media, psychologically driven concepts, and a love of animals and nature—all of which continue to typify Cooper’s work in their newest body of work.

This collection highlights the artist’s latest works plus a sampling of older, unpublished pieces not included in previous volumes. Works from Cooper’s 2021 solo show “Gilt” at Gallery Nucleus, are gathered here along with some that were featured in the 2023 solo show “Curious” at the same gallery.

J.A.W. Cooper was born in England but grew up in Kenya, Sweden and Ireland, as well as various other countries for shorter periods of time. With freshwater ecologists for parents, Cooper developed curiosity and a deep respect for nature early in life. Drawing became the perfect hobby for a child who frequently traveled light and was in awe of their mother’s scientific illustrations. Animals were young Cooper’s primary subject and continue to be a major source of inspiration.

Cooper attended Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, receiving a BFA in Communication Arts: Illustration. Following graduation, Cooper worked as a fine artist and an editorial illustrator in L.A. before becoming an art director for TV and movie campaigns.

After sixteen years in that city, Cooper moved to Portland, Oregon, where the artist continues to split their time between commercial work, personal work and ventures outside in nature. J.A.W. Cooper’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has been included in many publications, including four anthologies of work previously released through Flesk Publications.