Welcome to the Cunningham Art Gallery Online

Michael Cunningham, Artist

Born and raised in New York City, Michael's artistic talent was recognized at an early age by family and school faculty. As a quiet introspective child, Michael used his art and imagination as a form of play. He would sit and draw for long periods of time. Michael went into the military, after graduation from High School. After his tour in the United States Army, and various positions in many food service establishments Michael decided that culinary school was the next endeavor he wanted to pursue. In 1991, he enrolled in the prestigious, California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. During his tenure at the CCA he won many awards as a result of his culinary presentations, primarily his work in sculpting Chocolate. He completed his degree in Culinary Arts in 1993 and reentered the culinary field achieving Executive Chef positions at several fine-dining establishments.

In his spare time, Michael began sketching to relax and relieve tension. This soon became more than just an occasional endeavor; through the process of each sketch Michael became reacquainted with his natural artistic talent and creativity. He continued developing artistic pieces, as a hobby, utilizing colored pencils, he created the beautiful "Love Eternal" drawing In 1995, still feeling the need to create on canvas, Michael pursued that dream with his first attempt at painting, producing "Toucan", in 1996 which is still part of his personal collection.

Recognizing his dream of becoming a full time artist, Michael planned an Art show in his home to get the reaction of his friends, business associates and his family, to his works of Art. Following the completion of several Oil and Acrylic paintings, his first show was held January 1998. The reaction of the invited guests was incredible. The Art pieces were literally purchased off the walls. Many of the guests, astute collectors of fine art, encouraged Michael to pursue the Arts because they were delighted by his unique and fresh approach to painting.

Acceptance to juried shows in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Palm Springs, California all proved to be very positive, they provided an opportunity for greater public exposure. His work has been seen in made for Television movies and Art shows in Las Vegas and New York. Michael has been interviewed in a number of publications and has made personal appearances on National & Community Television. The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Images Magazine and Art Trends magazine, did major stories on his progression from food to Art.

In a presentation at the Bowers museum, Michael's work was likened to Van Gogh and Picasso. His lectures at Cal State Fullerton and Santa Ana College were applauded for his insightful exploration of emerging African American Artists. He is devoting his full attention to his work and has created an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement surrounding his art. Many of his paintings are in private and public collections in the United States, Canada, England and France. The Web site: www.cunninghamgallery.com is geared toward worldwide exposure. He continues to travel, read and study to enhance his understanding of world cultures. His trip to Africa, specifically Egypt, was a spiritually fulfilled adventure, which was etched on canvas upon his return. His trip to Paris, France and the Louvre museum was an inspirational experience that increased his admiration of the Old Masters.

In June 2000 Michael realized his goal of opening a gallery in Santa Ana, California. The Gallery was located in The Santora Building in the Artist Village. The gallery was very successful but the Artist Village did not grow as planned by the City of Santa Ana. After 3 years he decided to venture to Arizona to explore the Art scene in Scottsdale, Tucson and the West Valley.
In January 2001 Michael was awarded a commission from the State of California, Department of Health Services, Nutrition Network. The Painting has been used as their logo to promote Healthy lifestyles for people of color. "Afternoon in the Park", has been shown on Billboards across California. The image is also shown on Recipe Cards, Posters and brochures.
Since the move to Arizona in 2003, his images have been used in Jazz festival brochures, posters and as the Featured Artist in many shows and lectures. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale, AZ, featured Michael as a lecturer and exhibitor.
The West Valley Arts Council has endorsed Michael as one of their leading artists.
Michael was chosen to exhibit his new series "The Colors of Music" at the grand opening of Galeria Mistica, Tucson, AZ in May 2005. In 2006 he opened the fall season with the new series "The Colors of Flowers.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I have been creating since childhood, drawing racecars, super heroes and sculpting busts and whales out of molding clay. I have always been a lover and observer of our natural world. The power of nature mystifies me and has made me aware of its significance and power in the creation of all life forms.
The radiance of nature is audible, so I listen with my heart and paint what I hear. Dreams filled with music and colors inspire me to paint natural songs.
My abstract work, rich in color, texture and emotion attunes me with the sun, wind, water and earth. Each Painting whispers a glimpse of an intelligent and relentless churning of life.
I create this work in a highly energetic process of orchestrated colors, mixing pigment with specific values. I paint with brushes that are used for the details, palette knives create texture and impasto capturing the spontaneity and the impulsive thoughts that flow through the painting process.
Through my work, I wish to share a way of viewing the natural world around us with anyone who takes the time to join with me.

Expressionistic composition and dynamic color is my signature.

Collectors

Cunningham Art collectors are affluent, highly educated, professionals from a cross section of American and international cultures.

Commissions

2001 State of California, Health & Nutrition Department
2001-2007 Private commissions

Exhibitions & Lectures

1998 Affaire in the Gardens, Beverly Hills California
1999 4th Street Gallery-Santa Monica. California
1999 An Evening of Art & Jazz, Manhattan Beach, California
2000 - 2003 Cunningham Gallery of Fine Art, Santa Ana, California
2002 Art Expo, New York, NY
2002 California State University, Fullerton, California
2002 Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, Ca
2002 Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA
2002 Reflections Gallery, San Juan Capistrano, California
2002 Coast Gallery, Laguna Beach, California
2005 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
2005 Galeria Mistica, Tucson, AZ
2005 Starpointe Residents Club, Goodyear, AZ
2006 Exotic Home Art Show, Scottsdale, AZ
2006 Galeria Mistica, Tucson, AZ
2006 Mack Galleries, Detroit, MI

Planned Exhibits

2007 Exotic Home, Scottsdale, AZ
2007 STARPOINTE CLUB, GOODYEAR, AZ
2007 STUDIO TOUR, SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
2007 COMMISSION, AVERILL, VERMONT
2007 Paseo Colorado, Pasadena, CA