COOPER EDENS DRAGER: Original Illustrations 1978-1988

Join Davidson Galleries as we reacquaint Seattle with a dear old friend. Acclaimed author, illustrator and painter, Cooper Edens Drager, especially noted and adored in the 1980’s and 90’s for his quirky children’s books with playful color illustrations, now emerges from the studio with a different, yet familiar hand.

Cooper Edens Drager began his writing and illustration career when coaxed by collectors that were stirred by his images and the narrative titles of his paintings. In this recent body of work, influenced by Paul Klee and Henri Matisse, and harkening back to his beginnings as a painter, expressionistic depictions of chairs, vases and airy fields of texture are explored. Images are rendered with Holbein oil sticks and gouache on paper to a dazzling effect, quite reminiscent of the breathy quality of the former illustrations for which Edens became so revered.

COOPER EDENS DRAGER links: Main artist page, Linearia exhibition, Original Illustrations 1978-1988

From the book Secret Friends

From the book Caretakers of Wonder

From the book Starcleaner Reunion

From the book Now Is The Moon’s Eyebrow

From the book Art of Longing