Marybeth Cunningham is a self-taught watercolorist specializing in personalized pet, home, and landscape portraits. Working from her studio in Hamburg near Buffalo, NY, she has spent around two decades refining a style characterized by emotional depth, vibrant color, and loose, expressive brushwork  .

🎨 Artistic Style & Technique

1. Vivid, expressive color
   Cunningham’s palette is lively and bold—her watercolor works go beyond mere photo reproduction, enhancing hues to evoke warmth, spirit, and nostalgia  . This is evident in the colorful moose and chameleon pieces, where pure pigments and paint splatters elevate the subject with energy and whimsy.
2. Loose, interpretive brushwork
   Her approach leans toward a free-form style—lines are not always precise but rather fluid and suggestive. This allows essential details and textures to emerge organically rather than being rigidly defined, giving her work a fresh, spontaneous feel  .
3. Narrative-driven personalization
   Cunningham isn’t merely translating visuals; she crafts an emotional story. Testimonials describe how her home portraits capture the “essence” of a place by adding architectural details and sentimental objects that connect to clients’ feelings  .

🖼️ Subjects & Themes

• Pets: Dogs, cats, and even exotic animals are frequent subjects. Each piece conveys personality through dynamic brushstrokes and vibrant shading.
• Homes & landscapes: She creates tender, detail-rich renditions of houses—paying homage to windows, porches, and festive items (like beach towels), to reflect the client’s memories and lifestyle  .
• Occasional broader work: While commissions dominate, her portfolio includes cheerful wildlife and imaginative, colorful pieces (moose, chameleons) that transpose decorative and gallery-quality flair 

💬 Process & Client Experience

• Collaborative & Custom
  Clients send photos and discuss details like size, color accents, and personal touches. Cunningham sends a preview to ensure satisfaction before shipment—and payment, which fosters trust and transparency .
• Home-based studio charm
  She paints in an intimate kitchen-corner studio, often with her basset hound Roxy nearby. This setup is reflected in the personal, cozy character of her work  .
• Credibility & care
  Her artworks are award-winning and deeply appreciated. Reviews highlight unbeatable communication, thoughtful composition, and faithful representation of special places and pets 

✅ Conclusion

Marybeth Cunningham’s watercolor art succeeds because it blends lively, expressive painterly technique with meaningful customization. Her vibrant washes, artful restraint, and sensitive storytelling make her commissioned pieces both visually captivating and emotionally resonant. Whether celebrating a beloved pet, a cherished home, or simply bringing color to living spaces, Cunningham’s work stands out for its warmth, personality, and artistic joy.

Would you be interested in exploring her portfolio further, or perhaps commissioning a piece?