Life & Work with C M Cooper of Valencia

Today we’d like to introduce you to C M Cooper.

C M, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started off with a BA in Psychology (1975) and a month later (encouraged by my electives in art by my design professor) I was accepted into Art Center College of Design and graduated in 1980 a BFA In Fashion Illustration after taking a couple years off in between. I worked in the Advertising Department at the Broadway Department store along with freelance editorial projects. After leaving The Broadway, I entered the film and television world as a background artist and worked in a variety of roles from silent bits, stand-in, body double and in and small speaking roles in very low budget films. I returned to the art world in 1991. I started to pursue learning to oil paint in 1993 by studying mainly under impressionistic painters – both in classes and in workshops- anywhere I could paint from life: still life, landscape and figures. My passion was figure /portrait painting. I started selling in galleries in 1999 and was became more established in several galleries by the early 2000s. I was lucky enough to receive a few unexpected rewards at juried shows which helped to jump start my career. Unfortunately the economy took a downward turn in 2008 and gallery sales slowed dramatically down except for the most famous artists. I hope to never stop painting or run classes in my art studio space.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well I had to learn to paint first by painting life study after study. Hundreds of starts and now thousands of paintings or studies. By the time I was more consistent the print market was disappearing which would have been a great market for painters. I seem to go into markets that soon end. Painting is often frustrating and those experiences stay in my memory. Every painting is a new challenge with a new set of problems to solve. But painting is also so rewarding when we have a successful one. You have to have a passion for it so you do not get so discouraged that you quit. We are just lucky we can pursue painting at all.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally I am an oil painter and teacher that specializes in figurative genre. My career took off originally by painting many ballerina paintings and figurative genre. Women/ladies daydreaming and other behind the scenes- the quiet moments such as when a ballerina is tying her toe shoes rather than performing. I also painted roosters, cats, and some still life. I do not have extraordinary technical skill but I have been told I have feeling in my work and I guess that sets me apart from others. I am most proud that I go against the odds in careers- and work hard in pursuit even though so many artists are much more technically brilliant.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have studied under so many fabulous painters Joseph Mendez, and workshops under Scott Burdick and Susan Lyon who were the first to encourage me. workshops with Daniel Gerhardts, John Michael Carter, Timothy Theis, and Everette Raymond Kinstler who majorly encouraged me. He has painted many of the portraits of U.S. presidents and famous actors. there are drawing teachers also which include Glenn Vilppu, Karl Gnass, Richard Morris, Glenn Orbic and Mark Westermoe. Many of the above artists are now deceased.
Of course, my husband, Dan ( an animation artist going on 36 years at Disney Feature Animation) has supported me by giving me both opportunity and financial support to pursue my passion.

Gallery owners such as Karen Hackett and Kevin at Tirage Gallery in Pasadena and Waterhouse Gallery in Santa Barbara started my professional career. Joseph and Serina Manqueros really pushed sales for me at the Wendt Gallery in Laguna Beach among others back east from South Carolina, Nashville, New Jersey, Virginia and Florida.

Pricing:

• $800-$6000
• $1400 – $2400 average

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cmcooperfineart.com
• Instagram: cmcooperfineart
• Facebook: Christina M Cooper
• Youtube: oilartist_kat
• Other: https://UGallery.com

Image Credits
all original oil paintings by C M Cooper