Artitudes Gallery presents "Thru My Eyes," artwork by Theodore "Teddy" Koop

An artist reception will be held on Oct. 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Artitudes Gallery on the upper level of the Atrium.

The public is invited to join Artitudes for refreshments, live music and a visit with the artist. This show will be available for viewing from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30.

"My name is Theodore M. Koop, aka Teddy Koop," Koop said. "I am an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree tribe, where I have been living for most of my life. I am married to my wife, Linda Osborne Koop, and we have three beautiful children together, two girls and one boy.

"I have been painting for as long as I can remember, my main subject matter is acrylic paints," Koop said. "I was taught in several types of art such as pottery, stained glass, water colors, oils, sand blasting, etched glass, knife making, scrimshaw and several other types of art."

"Art comes natural to me," Koop added. "I had some of the best teachers when it comes to art, my high school art teacher, Tom Marinkovich, probably one of the best high school art teachers. He taught me all these different mediums, and he still mentors me to this day I was lucky to have two other mentors in my life, the late Algie Piapot and the late Vernon The Boy, who were always coaching me in my art." 

My preferred style of painting is mainly wildlife, but I do a lot of Native American painting," Koop said. "I have been trying to be a full-time artist for the last five years. I have attended a few art shows over time, but most of my art is on display on  Facebook under  T-m-koop arts and crafts."