John Cosby, American 

 

"While standing on location in a place I have never visited, I begin to recognize what is different about it from all the other places I have been. I try to capture that, the uniqueness," says Cosby.

 

As a painter Cosby travels extensively painting what he sees and feels.  Bold use of color and an energetic brush stroke combined with the truth of the place is what you will see and feel when viewing a painting by Cosby.

 

Born in Hollywood California in 1955, Cosby was raised in the west.  At an early age he began to draw and paint and was lucky enough to have been inspired by a grandmother who was an oil painter.  "She would give me the paint, some brushes and a scrap of canvas and set me off to paint.  This early experience took the fear out of creating a painting," said Cosby.

 

Cosby started traveling at an early age.  At 18 he was chosen as an advance man for the Executive Branch of the United States Government and served under two Presidents and traveled the world.  He met many interesting people and saw many things but what most interested him were the great works of art he encountered.  "They haunted me and helped set the course for my career as a painter".  After leaving the White House, Cosby rebuilt an old classic sailing sloop designed by Nathaniel Herrishoff.  With a friend (who had dreams of being a writer) set sail up and down the eastern seaboard in the inland waterway for 3 years.  Thus he began his art career.

 

"Doing drawings of anything that moved me, things began to sell and my course was set," said Cosby.

 

Upon his return to the California, Cosby began painting the sea and landscape of coastal California.  With a strong gallery response, his success as a painter quickly followed.

 

Cosby currently resides and maintains a studio inSan Clemente CA.  He works on location around the world and is represented by some of the finest galleries.  Cosby was a founding board member of the prestigious “Laguna Plein Air Painters Association”, a Signiture member of both Pleinair Painters of America and The California Art Club.  He has served as an officer of these groups to help further the cause of Art. Cosby was also a founder of the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational that was held at the Laguna Art Museum for thirteen years.   

  

With his bold contemporary style Cosby has captured the imagination of some very important collectors. His work can be found in many private, public and corporate collections around the world.  Cosby is recognized internationally.

 

List of Awards and Recent Exhibitions

 

2014 The Fredrick Weisman Museum "On Location in Malibu" A CAC Show

2014 The Cape Cod Museum of Art "Looking East" a PAPA Show

2014 The Irvine Museum "Sunlight and Shadow/ The Tradition of Pleinair Painting

2014 Group Show “The Wild Side” Catalina Island Conservancy show

2013 One man show at Redfern Gallery “Beached and Coves of Laguna Beach

2011 First Place, Plein Air in the Park, Paso Robles  CA.  Awarded by Jean Stern, The Irvine Museum

2009 Colectors Choice Award; Laguna Art Museum CA 

2007 First Place, Heritage Art Show, San Juan Capistrano, CA 

2007 Irvine Museum Award, Coastal Splendor Plein Air Invitational, Crystal Cove, CA 

2007 Second Place, Casa Romantica, San Clemente, CA

2005 Honorable Mention; Coastal Splendor Plein Air Invitational, Crystal Cove, CA

2004 Honorable Mention; Sights of Southern California; Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA

2004 Honorable Mention; Coastal Splendor Plein Air Invitational, Crystal Cove, CA 

2004 Artist Choice Award; Quick Draw, Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational, CA

2003 Honorable Mention, Sights of Southern California; Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA

2002 Collectors Choice Award, Lincoln Plein Air Painting Invitational, Laguna Beach, CA

2001 First Place, Quick Draw, Haggin Museum, Yosemite Painters Group, Stockton, CA

2001 Best of Show Award, Lahaina Poster Contest, Lahaina, Maui, HI

2001 First Place, Quick Draw Competition, “Third Annual Desert Plein Air”; La Quinta, CA