Joe Kopler
For the last 25 years I've been scattering seeds around my garden and the birds got some of them, some dried up and blew away, and the weeds even choked some of them. But I never stopped tossing my seeds. These last few months I've been seeing my audience growing, the support has been overwhelming and connections that I could never dream of are starting to come into my path. But I want to be honest with you... I don't feel right keeping my happiness inside so I wanted to share this with you. This area is going to start to gel, and the out of towner's are going to CHECK IT OUT because they're going to want PART OF what's TAKING OFF ! Enjoy & Thanks ! I wanted to make Ellen Griesdieck's after hours party last night over in the Whiting Mills in Winsted. But I had other obligations, Ellen is the Artist responsible for creating the " AMERICAN MURAL PROJECT " a Dream that she started 15 years ago and has some super financial backing. When I first met her she was at a Business after hours at her Studio and she was saying that cities like Chicago and Denver wanted to have her 4 story high, 120 ft long structure displayed in their City, she NO its staying right here in the Northwest Corner... Winsted for that matter ! It's 85% done and I can't wait until its COMPLETE ! I'll catch you next time Ellen, keep up the DREAM ALIVE ! From one Dreamer to another ! Joe Kopler Manager Tony Elvis Beard Left, and the Bartender Phil are seen here holding my Sculpted Painting of the entrance of " Lennon's of Liverpool " in the Actual Entrance ! As I mentioned earlier in my other post my EPIC VISION about bringing the business in from different parts of the State, or different States for that matter... I'M ON THE LEVEL ! And once you see why I have such a GRAND VISION you'll understand. I'm a REAL PERSON, I'm a TORRINGTONIAN and I have a REAL GALLERY ! Sure its small, and it once was a basement BUT what I'M OFFERING NO OTHER GALLERY COMES CLOSE ! Think I'm kidding just ask anyone that's been here ! I will be OPEN on Sunday if you're out riding around, 10 minutes in my place and I GOTCHA ! And believe me I can use another voice. See my Reviews on my Website to help you with your decision. ~ www.koplerart.com SummaryI've been always interested in Art since I could pick up a crayon. And I also loved experimenting with all types of Art, Oils, Acrylic, Charcoal, Pen & Ink. BUT its this NEW METHOD of Art that I discovered 8 years ago that I'm laser focused on...it's a cross between Sculpture & Painting. I even built a small Art Gallery in my basement which showcases over 300 unique one of a kind sculpted pieces. I've had clients and friends suggest to me, about going back to school and perfect my Art talent but with this " Sculpted Painting Idea " I was the one that discovered it ? So how could I go back to school for it ... WHO may I ask... is going to teach me ? If anything I may have classes on this method of Art. I've had ONE on ONE classes in my Creation Station / work area by my Gallery and both students found it very enjoyable and informative.
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Freelance Artist Extraordinaire
Hello friends, my name is Joe Kopler and I'm a self-taught Artist from the Northwest Corner of Connecticut. Ever since I could pick up a crayon I was always interested in Art. I loved working with all sorts of MEDIUMS: Acrylics, Oils, Charcoal, Pastels, Drawing, Pen and Ink, Stamp Making, Screen Printing , and Sculpture. But it's this latest method of Art which I've been calling " Sculpted Painting " that I discovered quite by accident 8 years ago that's turning heads locally. Now I'm always looking for ways Via SOCIAL MEDIA to market my work and EXPAND MY AUDIENCE ! And if some of you live around New England feel free to look me up, and I'll give you a tour of my little Art Gallery. ~ Joe ARTIST STATEMENT I would personally like to thank all of you for taking the time to view some of my Sculpted Paintings. I've been working on this NEW Style of Artwork for close to 8 years now, and locally the word of mouth has been helping with the exposure. My Childhood Dream was always becoming a " Famous Artisan " and I'm no where near that yet but these past 8 years have been one hell of launching pad. The nicest thing about commissioned work is that when someone hands you a photo of their Dog that had just recently passed away and you hand them a sculpted painting of their beloved pet 2 weeks later... watching the tears stream down their face is like getting PAID TWICE ! ~ Joe
Hello Friends, my name is Joe Kopler and I'm a Freelance Artist from Connecticut with a vision beyond belief. Ever since I could pick up a crayon I wanted to be an Artist. I've meddled in ALL KINDS of Mediums over the years BUT its this LATEST VENTURE that I'm branding and Calling my OWN. It all started with an IDEA, over 8 years ago while repairing my bathroom ceiling. Then came a few samples that I showed to my passengers on my Senior Bus and it was their reactions that lit the fuse ! I haven't stopped yet ! In the early years I was going through a Divorce and it was this Sculpted Art that kept me on track and focused. The first few years were tough but after using my Tax Refund for three years and bartering with friends ( Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers ) I finally can say that I have a beautiful Art Gallery in my basement, that I show by appointment. Then came the FREE computer that my Ex-Wife gave me because I was NEVER one for the INTERNET. After a couple years I now have friends from all over the world thanks to FACEBOOK. The following year I met my Photographer who just happened to be dating the Guy that designed my Eye Catching Website.( A true 2 for 1 Deal ) And just last year I opened this Store on Etsy with 7 Sales in my first year, I want to double OR maybe even triple that in my second year. In October I started working Full Time so my time is limited, but my DRIVE & PASSION are still there. NEVER GIVE UP and Believe in yourself, there's nothing better than doing WHAT YOU LOVE... and if you can do it for a living, that's HAPPINESS Meet the shopkeep: Joe Kopler Joe Kopler is the sculpture/painter behind the Goodsmiths shop KOPLERART. Just talk to Joe for two minutes, and it’s be obvious that he’s living his passion, ”I’m like a little kid with clay with this stuff,” he says. He wants to help fellow artists follow their dreams, so he sat down with us and shared advice on art, networking and resilience.
Kopler also runs a gallery out of his home in Torrington, CT (he invites you to stop by if you are ever in the area). Tell us a little about your craft? My craft is a combination of sculpture and painting. I came across what I call “sculpted paintings” by accident. About seven years ago, the ceiling of my bathroom kept leaking. So I primed it, but it kept leaking. Finally I said, “To hell with it,” and grabbed some joint compound and swirled the whole celling — it looked like cake frosting. Now when people come over to my house and use the bathroom they start freaking out, and are like, “Wow, this is pretty cool.” So, I was like, “Why can’t I do pictures?” I take a photo, and then draw the whole scene on a piece of sanded down plywood. Then I use Durabond, work with it wet, like the consistency of cake frosting, and then wait until it hardens. After it hardens I hit it with white acrylic primer, because it makes the paint colors true to color. Next, I paint the sculpted painting according to the photo. Finally, I spray the whole thing with sealant. After the bathroom, I began going around town and painting local landmarks in my hometown. I made a little collage. At that time, I drove a transit bus with a whole bunch of seniors (they are my best critics). So I brought one of the paintings on the bus, and they were amazed. They told me I should keep this up, and that’s what really lit my fire. Where do you find inspiration? I’m really into movies, and I look for characters you don’t really see anymore. You sculpt Frankenstein from 1931, and people are like, “Whoa! where’d that come from?” But I never want to get stuck doing just one thing. What does a typical day look like for you? In the morning I work from 6:30 am until 9:30 with autistic children, then I go back around 1:30 pm until 6 pm or so. In between those times if I’m not with my kids I am strictly focused on my art. If I’m not doing art I’m networking on Facebook or adding items on Goodsmiths. If you want to be successful at something you have to devote some time to it. I could do this stuff 16 hours a day. How do you market yourself? I brought that collage of my hometown into the local library, and the curator wanted me to do one for them. So I did, and now it’s hanging there. I like talking to people and developing a friendship that way. Online, Facebook helps with that — it’s my number-one networking tool. On Facebook I’m doing my artwork, talking about my artwork or helping someone else pursue their dream. Joe’s marketing advice:
What is the most important aspect of shop owning? Passion. If this is your passion, don’t give up. Do you have any photo advice? What do you do to show off your pieces? My work looks much better from 3 feet away, because they are 3D. Try for different angles — get some long shots and closeups of detail if you are painting on a flat surface. If you are doing 3D, get some side shots. What makes your really passionate about your craft? One of the ladies from my bus wanted to buy one of my pieces, and you can’t solicit on a transit bus. I lost the job — after nine years — for my craft. Now I have a new job, and I told my boss straight off the bat, “I’m doing this artwork, and I’ll be here every day for whatever you need, but I’m still doing this artwork.” I made that very clear, because this is my dream and I’m protecting it. I love this, and I want to do it full time. I desperately want: to be doing this full time as a living and making people feel great for owning my artwork. My favorite site on the world wide web: Facebook When I wake up I look forward to: picking up my paintbrush. If I could be anywhere right now I would be: Hawaii. I know I could get some great pictures for my artwork. |
For Torrington artist Joe Kopler, a passion for art began when he was a small child -- he picked up a crayon and began drawing. Kopler, or "Taco" as some know him, has taken that childhood beginning to new levels -- literally -- in the past six years and began Saturday to display his artwork at the Mirandia Vineyard. The artwork will be on display at the Goshen venue through the month of February.
Kopler earned the nickname from co-workers at the Torrington Company. The name stuck and for more than 20 years friends have known Kopler as the man who uses sculpture in his paintings.
"Everything begins on plywood, instead of a canvas," Kopler said Saturday, as he greeted guests at the vineyard. "I build up each image on the boards before adding the paint. The images just seem to pop off that way."
The exhibit includes 12 of Kopler's creations, ranging from scenes in Litchfield to classic characters as the late actor Heath Ledger's "Joker," to painted sculptures of actor James Dean and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. Kopler said he paints with many mediums, including pastels, acrylics and pen and ink, but he prefers his sculpture technique.
The artist said he discovered the medium while repairing a portion of his bathroom ceiling. After playing around with the material, he starting creating art with it. Kopler's art can be seen all over Litchfield County including in the mayor's office in Torrington and the Green room in Winsted.
"No one is doing this right now," Kopler said. "I came across the method about six years ago by accident and kept at it."
He does his artwork in his gallery on the east side of Torrington. He recently reached out to the California company, Café Press, in an attempt to have his artwork transferred to clothing and coffee mugs.
"I have tried to do that myself, and found it to be too time consuming," he said. "But if there is a company that can do that, it might be interesting to see some of the work on sweatshirts or mugs."
For more information visit Kopler's website at www.koplerart.com.
Kopler will also be the featured artist at the Register Citizen's Newsroom Café in March. An opening reception is planned on a future date.
Reach Mike Agogliati by e-mail at magogliati@registercitizen.com or by phone at (860) 489-2321, ext. 324. On Twitter @RegisterCitizen and @mikeagogliati.
Kopler earned the nickname from co-workers at the Torrington Company. The name stuck and for more than 20 years friends have known Kopler as the man who uses sculpture in his paintings.
"Everything begins on plywood, instead of a canvas," Kopler said Saturday, as he greeted guests at the vineyard. "I build up each image on the boards before adding the paint. The images just seem to pop off that way."
The exhibit includes 12 of Kopler's creations, ranging from scenes in Litchfield to classic characters as the late actor Heath Ledger's "Joker," to painted sculptures of actor James Dean and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. Kopler said he paints with many mediums, including pastels, acrylics and pen and ink, but he prefers his sculpture technique.
The artist said he discovered the medium while repairing a portion of his bathroom ceiling. After playing around with the material, he starting creating art with it. Kopler's art can be seen all over Litchfield County including in the mayor's office in Torrington and the Green room in Winsted.
"No one is doing this right now," Kopler said. "I came across the method about six years ago by accident and kept at it."
He does his artwork in his gallery on the east side of Torrington. He recently reached out to the California company, Café Press, in an attempt to have his artwork transferred to clothing and coffee mugs.
"I have tried to do that myself, and found it to be too time consuming," he said. "But if there is a company that can do that, it might be interesting to see some of the work on sweatshirts or mugs."
For more information visit Kopler's website at www.koplerart.com.
Kopler will also be the featured artist at the Register Citizen's Newsroom Café in March. An opening reception is planned on a future date.
Reach Mike Agogliati by e-mail at magogliati@registercitizen.com or by phone at (860) 489-2321, ext. 324. On Twitter @RegisterCitizen and @mikeagogliati.
