C M Cooper
Valencia, California
Artist C M Cooper creates impressionist oil paintings that focus on the figurative, behind-the-scenes moments of everyday life. She captures scenes that highlight the romantic side of women, the innocence of children, and the charm of animals. "I love working from the figure, which I realize is the most challenging, as it requires consistently studying both anatomy and idealization," says C M. As a child, she was drawn to an artwork in her grandmother's home, and in her teens, large-format images in fashion magazines captured her attention. These early experiences, along with formal studies in psychology and fashion drawing, continue to shape how she selects and paints her subjects today. She works in an organized studio, listening to music during live sessions or streaming television shows when working alone. When not making art, C M enjoys baking, tending to her home, and walking her cat.
Artist Statement
I am often described as a contemporary traditionalist, working in an impressionistic style to express emotion through what I think of as "behind-the-scenes" imagery. I am drawn to quiet, intimate moments, whether it is the innocence of children, the presence of a cat, or a fleeting sense of romance that might otherwise go unnoticed. These are the moments I choose to bring forward, giving them space and significance through paint.
I work exclusively in oil, a medium that allows me to fully explore depth, texture, and feeling. My process often begins with observation, sometimes painting from life, and then refining the work with photographic reference. Over the years, I have moved from film enlargements to digital photography, often working from images displayed on my computer. I build each painting at the easel, using a traditional palette and tools that support a hands-on, immersive process.
My artistic journey has been shaped by both formal education and mentorship. I studied psychology and art before continuing my training at Art Center College of Design, and I spent several years studying under Joseph Mendez. Workshops with artists such as Scott Burdick, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Daniel Gerhartz, and Susan Lyon further influenced my development. Each experience helped refine my approach, but at the core, my work remains guided by a desire to capture feeling, memory, and the subtle beauty found in everyday moments.
I work exclusively in oil, a medium that allows me to fully explore depth, texture, and feeling. My process often begins with observation, sometimes painting from life, and then refining the work with photographic reference. Over the years, I have moved from film enlargements to digital photography, often working from images displayed on my computer. I build each painting at the easel, using a traditional palette and tools that support a hands-on, immersive process.
My artistic journey has been shaped by both formal education and mentorship. I studied psychology and art before continuing my training at Art Center College of Design, and I spent several years studying under Joseph Mendez. Workshops with artists such as Scott Burdick, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Daniel Gerhartz, and Susan Lyon further influenced my development. Each experience helped refine my approach, but at the core, my work remains guided by a desire to capture feeling, memory, and the subtle beauty found in everyday moments.
Artist Background
Art Center College of Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1980
California Lutheran University
Bachelor of Arts, 1975
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