Leann Cooper

After spending over 20 years as a fulltime mom for three children, Leann Vineyard Cooper returned to her love for drawing and watercolor. She discovered that her talent was not lost, but just on standby waiting until the time was right for her to sharpen a few pencils and begin marks of faith and hope again on a fresh page. 

Leann enjoys drawing portraits and nature inspired pieces. The emotional tone of her work reminds viewers that hope dwells within hard times and beauty is present in the simple things we see about us each day, like tomato sandwiches and dragonflies. 

As a child growing up in Knox County and, later, a student at Gibbs High School, Leann developed her talent and gained an appreciation for community. She received scholarships and invitations to submit works within the community, which helped her grow as an artist. Leann still enjoys participating in local art events such as the Dogwood Arts Festival Chalk walk, First Fridays, artists markets, and teaching at KMA's Summer Art Academy. Her work has consistently earned awards. However, Leann values most interacting with people at exhibits hearing their life stories, which are linked to what they see in her work, and being reminded anew of the gentle and mysterious ways God continues to interact with us to bring purpose and healing. 

Although Leann has done commercial art ranging from logos to billboards, her lifelong dream has been to illustrate a children’s book. In 2010 she was able to realize that dream when she completed drawings for “The Tale of Ole Green Eyes”, which was published as an heirloom for the author’s family. In 2017 she completed illustrations for “Princess Cindra Ellen”, which will be published and available to all in the Spring of 2018. 

Leann also does drawings and paintings for charity. In the past her art has helped support the work of the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Ijams Nature Center, the National Wildlife Federation, and Thistle Farms.