A Life Shaped by the Coast
Born in Edgecomb, Maine, Earl Cunningham was a self-taught painter who spent much of his life navigating the waters and landscapes of the American Atlantic coast. After leaving home at age thirteen, he worked as a tinker and a peddler before beginning to paint and sell landscapes and scenes of boats. His deep connection to the sea was furthered by his work as a river and coastal pilot, sailing ships along the eastern seaboard of the United States. His life was marked by movement between Maine and Florida, including a period in South Carolina where he raised chickens for the United States Army during the Second World War. In 1949, he moved to Saint Augustine, Florida, where he opened an art gallery and curio shop.
Artistic Vision and Style
Cunningham's work is characterized by a unique, childlike style often associated with folk art. He painted over 400 landscapes, frequently depicting the coasts of Maine, New York, Nova Scotia, Michigan, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. His compositions often feature:
His paintings often utilize a bird's eye view and inaccurate proportions to emphasize important objects. While his human figures were not his primary strength, he was noted for his ability to draw animals. His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian American Art Gallery in Washington, D.C., and he was inducted into the Florida Artist's Hall of Fame.
Questions & Answers
How many artworks by Earl Cunningham are available to browse?
You can browse 1 artwork by Earl Cunningham on the All Artworks page.
Where are Earl Cunningham's artworks grouped by palette?
To find works by Earl Cunningham in a specific palette, use the artist's By Palettes page.
Which artworks by Earl Cunningham are the most viewed?
Statistics about Earl Cunningham's works are available on the artist's Stats page.
How did Earl Cunningham's art evolve over time?
Earl Cunningham's career unfolds period by period on the artist's Chronicle page: a horizontal timeline of the artworks, grouped into career-period chapters.
