CM Cooper refers to herself as a “contemporary traditionalist.”  Her impressionistic paintings blend classic aesthetics with the modern figure.  Women, children, dancers and animals in contemporary settings come to life through her bold impressionistic brush strokes.  Cooper’s delicate color sensitivity and wonderful sense of light create images that are filled with emotion and feeling.

Born and raised in Southern California, Cooper was educated at Art Center College of Design where she earned her BFA.  A career in fashion advertising followed, along with freelance work in editorial illustration.  But her travels to Europe---including an opportunity to live and study in Paris---began to focus her interest towards a fine art career.  Her studies continued at the Associates in Arts Masters Program and 4 years of study with Joseph Mendez.  Rare opportunities to observe and study under the highly respected artists Howard Terpning and Raymond Everett Kinsler further enhanced her artistic abilities and vision.

Today she is a full time gallery painter and art instructor.  Cooper’s work is featured at several galleries across the nation, from South Carolina to Santa Barbara and Carmel, California. Most recently she was blessed by receiving an Award of Excellence /AIS National Juried Show 2022.  Other highlights before that was to be honored both a  Best of Show (2017)  and a Second Best in Show AIS (2018)  for their first and second "Small Works" Shows. Other awards include the Salon International’s 2010 Top Award, Third Place in Show and the Museum Director’s Choice Award at the California Art Club’s 92nd annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition in 2002 which were great  honors.  She is a member of both the Oil Painters of America (OPA) and the American Impressionist's Society (AIS).

Cooper has been a featured artist in Southwest Magazine’s Figurative Issue, November 2003, and was selected as an “Artist to Watch” in November 2002.  She was also recommended in their “Collector’s Choice” issue in October 2003.  Other publications include International Artist Magazine’s “100 Ways to Paint People and Your Favorite Subject” in 2003 – 2004, along with several other publications.