In 1933 she moved to the South Island and taught art, first at Canterbury College, and then at Dunedin Training College. After retiring from teaching in 1940, she returned to Auckland and painted full time. In November 1951 she exhibited 96 works at the Auckland Society of Arts (ASA).[1]
Copeland painted traditional subject matter, taking a particular interest in still life, particularly the study of flowers. Copeland also painted landscapes and in 1946 was awarded the Bledisloe Medal for her oil paintingBack of Beyond.[3] Copeland is best remembered for her portrait paintings, she had a particular interest in Māori subjects.[1]
In 1940 her landscape painting Winter sunshine, Heathcote, Christchurch was included in the National Centennial Exhibition of New Zealand Art. Two of her works were included in the ASA exhibition New Zealand Women Painters 1845–1968. Most recently she was featured in the 1993 exhibition White Camelias.[1]
Copeland died in Auckland on 28 August 1961. In her will she left her paintings to the ASA to raise funds to establish the Ivy Copeland award for portraiture, awarded to a tertiary student biannually.[1]