Charlotte County Artist Roger Koops

Born: March 21, 1925. Died: February 8, 2000

Roger Koops was born in 1925 in Rockford, Michigan. Growing up during the depression in the '30s, there was little exposure to art.

Immediately after graduation from high school, during World War II, Roger was drafted into the army into the ASTP program at New York University in Manhattan in the "Village." The sidewalk art was a constant influence.

After the ASTP program was closed down, Roger found himself in Europe in the infantry. He had a pass to Paris and took in as much of the art as was then available.

Much later, Roger found himself in Detroit, alone, promoted to a new job. Art classes seemed to be the perfect outlet for his creative energy. He began this new venture with drawing and painting -- later taking classes in pottery. Wood carving followed and grew into wood sculpture. Exhibitions and sales at galleries in the Detroit area created a demand for his work.

After retiring to Florida, Roger continued to carve and sculpt. Playing trombone in a Dixieland band sidetracked him to some extent. But, he continued to enjoy art and has done numerous works in marble.

Perhaps the creativity of Dixieland music was a positive influence on his abstracts. Unlike many artists, Rog had little interest in painting or carving flowers, people, or landscapes. They were made by God. If he created something from stone, he felt that only God knew what it was. He felt a great satisfaction in working out a shape that was both interesting, pleasing to the eye, and decorative.

Roger's work may be seen by contacting Barbara Koops at (941) 625-1435 or at [email protected].