Meet Jennifer Morey Cunningham of Jennifer Cunningham Art

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Morey Cunningham.

Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
15 years ago, I started capturing the best of Los Angeles through my watercolors that I draw on location. Printing them onto note cards put me on the map with commissions and orders coming in from business’s promoting Downtown.

The Fashion Institute of Design commissioned me for a watercolor image of their iconic main campus building. The President of FIDM bought the “copyrights” and is using it as a major promotional piece. Hal Bastian Inc. a Downtown Revitalization Consulting Firm features and sells my work in his office.

I love teaching watercolors in my “Paint Landmarks on Location” classes. Students have an opportunity to have a creative experience while enjoying iconic landmarks. They get to respond to what they see and to bring home a work of art as a treasured memory.

I’m an Artist whose vision is to open people of all ages up to their creative selves. I love to share my knowledge and give others a creative outlet. Creating is a wonderful way to move through life’s ups and downs.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Haha! Enjoy the journey, that’s what I say! in the year 2000 I got a studio at the Brewery in East LA. It changed my outlook and turned me into a professional artist. The Downtown News wrote an article about me that launched my career. Commissioned work came in regularly.

The recession hit artists like myself hard. No one was buying art when they were having a hard time paying their mortgage. Eventually I had to move home. It was 2007 and it was sad to say goodbye to the Brewery.

The shift in the economy forced me to reinvent myself. I started teaching.

I have been teaching ” On Location ” painting for the past four years. Recently painting parties have become very popular. The Soho House’s members love my classes and have me come as many as three times a month.

Business is booming and I’m ready to get a studio again.

Jennifer Cunningham Art – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m known for my “On Location Painting” classes. Students get an opportunity to have a creative experience while enjoying iconic landmarks. The French Impressionists were the first to paint “en plein air”. Students learn to respond to what they see and bring home a work of art as a treasured memory.

I “red carpet” my students into a creative experience. I’m able to guide them and let them go the perfect amount to find their own expression. It’s a natural high! Once we were painting the sunset and I didn’t know where the painting ended and the sunset began. I thought this was a great idea and I made it happen!

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I had “ah ha” moment driving down Figueroa in 2001. I thought I’ll paint the landmarks and show people what a beautiful city Los Angeles is. When I had finished 10 and printed them on notecards I went to an event at the Downtown News. I showed them to the president Sue Easton and she ran an article about me saying I had a “bright idea”! It was brave and bold ! I’m proud of myself for having the vision and courage to see it through.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3871 Grandview Blvd. L.A. CA. 90066 Studio 1
• Website: www.lawatercolorclasses.com
• Phone: 213-304-0076
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jenwatercolors/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennifercunninghamart
• Other: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercunninghamart/

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