JOHN COSBY

PLEIN-AIR IMPRESSIONIST PAINTER
2010 Inducted as a Signature Member of both California Art Club and Plein-Air Painters of America

“While standing on location in a place I have never visited, I begin to recognize what is different from all the other places I have been. I try to capture that, the uniqueness,” says Cosby. As a plein-air painter Cosby travels extensively painting what he sees and feels. Bold use of color and an energetic brush stroke 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 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 a early age. At 18 he was chosen as a communications advanceman for President Nixon and began to travel the globe, continuing in this capacity through the Ford Administration. 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 in San Clemente California. 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”, an Signiture member of California Art Club. Cosby was a founder of the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational held at the Laguna Art Museum. 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:
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 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