Featured Artist Lisa Cunningham

Artist Lisa Cunningham captures city scenes and architectural elements beautifully in her pastel portfolio. Enjoy and visit her website to view more.

 

 

I create pastel paintings that celebrate architecture, light, and atmosphere. As a classically trained artist with degrees in Fine Art and Art Education, my work highlights the intricate relationship between humanity and the built environment. My compositions, rich with vibrant color and painterly detail, evoke a sense of place and nostalgia. The art offers viewers a window into both familiar and fleeting moments in time.

 

 

At a very young age, I remember always having a pencil in hand so I could draw cartoon characters from the newspapers. It was then that I realized I wanted to become an artist “someday.” This deep-rooted passion for drawing led me to pastels. It is a medium that provides the control and flexibility I value. Pastels give me the ability to manipulate color and texture in a way that resembles oil painting, defining my style as painterly realism.

 

 

The interplay of light and shadow plays a defining role in my work. Whether capturing the warm glow of a sunlit façade or the dramatic contrast of dusk settling over a city street, my use of light enhances the mood and narrative of each piece.

 

 

While architecture still plays a large role in my compositions, I’ve also been exploring and introducing the beauty of nature into my work. Figures and natural elements often make their way into my pieces. This reinforces the connection between people, their surroundings, and the organic world.

 

 

Travel fuels much of my inspiration. I take photographs, make sketches, and write notes while on location. Later I distill these experiences into finished pieces in my studio. I want my paintings to serve as a bridge between memory and emotion—allowing people to connect with places they’ve seen, loved, or even lost.

 

 

My commitment to improving and mastering my craft (if there is such a thing) is ongoing. I am a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America. I’m also a Master Circle Member of the International Association of Pastel Societies, and an Associate with Distinction Member of American Women Artists. My work is represented in private and corporate collections along the East Coast and at several fine art galleries.

 

 

Much of the year, I travel the country to participate in prestigious outdoor fine art fairs where I engage directly with collectors. These events provide an opportunity for me to share the stories behind my work and witness firsthand the emotional connections they evoke in viewers.

 

Lisa Cunningham invites you to follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

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