Born in 1959, Chris Cooper was raised near Metcalfe, Ontario. His father, an Ontario College of Art alumni and set designer for the CBC, encouraged Chris' development with weekend and holiday painting and sketching trips in the Madawaska Highlands.

Chris graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1984, and during his last year at the college he mentored with Franklin Arbuckle. Arbuckle was an important influence due to his direct contact and working relationship with the Group of Seven.

A painting trip into Algoma with Arbuckle was the impetus to move near Mile 71½, Spruce Lake, along the Algoma Central Railway Line. While living in the North, Chris showed at the Art Gallery of Algoma in their 100th Anniversary Exhibition for Algonquin Park. He also founded the Algoma School of Landscape Arts where he has worked with and influenced many O.C.A. students.
Chris has been artist in residence at the McMichael Canadian Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario. From 1989 until 1996 his work was represented by Libby’s Art Gallery. Following his association with Libby’s, Chris entered an artists collective known as “DrawnonwarD” which mounted independent group exhibitions..

He is included in the collections of the CIBC, Likrilyn Investments, Nova Bancorp, Dundee Bancorp, Manulife Financial, Magna International Inc. and others both corporate and private.