top of page

ABOUT

"When a person stands in front of one of my paintings, I want that person to feel the wind and the heat I felt when I painted it." - John Cosby

JOHN COSBY
AMERICIAN IMPRESSIONIST PAINTER

“Teaching others to paint is very rewarding. As a self-taught painter I had to come up with a method of logical steps to create a painterly work of art, I have worked hard with my film crew to demonstrate these methods to you in this series of instructional videos.” 

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 in his life.  At 18 he was chosen as an advance man for the Executive Branch of the US Government, 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)  and set sail up and down the eastern seaboard in the inland waterway for about 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 California, Cosby worked in commercial illustration and design with many clients such as In-N-Out Burger. While he was having much success with design and illustration his heart was in fine art painting, the sea and landscape of coastal California called.  With a strong gallery response, his success as a fine art painter quickly followed.

 

Cosby currently resides and maintains a studio in San 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 Signature member of both Plein-air 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 and is now in it's 25th year.   

  

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. 

 

A short documentary film has been made about my life and adventures which is now available on this site here.  I hope you enjoy it!

​

To view more examples of my work and available paintings please visit www.cosbystudio.com  

Jean Stern 
Executive Director 
The Irvine Museum
"Cosby’s distinctive approaches to painting light and space are his own. He has established his presence in plein air landscape by his exemplary handling of atmosphere and light, both of which he paints with excellence and ease."
Ray Redfern 
Owner Redfern Gallery
"John Cosby and I have known each other for over twenty years. I have watched his talent blossom and his success in the art world expand on a yearly basis. The Redfern Gallery held our first show featuring John’s works in 2008."
John Cosby
On Teaching
I taught my first class over 26 years ago and soon learned that I enjoyed teaching. Many of the painters I have taught have gone on to headline shows and commercial success. In all of those years I came to realize that a directed plan that strengthens the fundamentals of the craft is what gives someone the tools they need to succeed as an Artist.

List of Awards and Recent Exhibitions

2023

Invited Artist Valley Club show Montecito, California

​

Invited Artist Ojai Museum “Ojai Mystique” 

​

Showing in the Catalina Island Wildside show

​

CAC at the Bowers Museum Gold Medal Show

2021

California Art Club Gold Medal Hilbert Museum OC

2019

ARC Salon 2nd Place in Pleinair Shown at Barcelona MOMA

​

Showing in the Catalina Island Wildside show

​

Began being represented at Vanessa Rothe Fine Art

Laguna Beach, CA

2016

Presenter at the "Lost Coast Show in Florida"

​

Showing in the Catalina Island Wildside show

​

Featured in the PBS Show "Color in your Life"

​

The Irvine Museum Summer Exhibition "A Summer Idyll"

2014

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

​

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

​

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

2011

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

2007

First Place Heritage Art Show San Juan Capistrano, CA

​

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

​

Second Place Casa Romantica San Clemente, CA

2004

Honorable Mention Sights of Southern California

Bowers Museum Santa Ana, CA

​

Honorable Mention Coastal Splendor Plein Air Invitational

Crystal Cove, CA

​

Artist Choice Award Quick Draw

Laguna BeachPlein Air Painting Invitational, CA

2024

Commissioned to paint for UCI Cancer Center 

Irvine, CA

​

Documentary Screening at Vivian Theater

Laguna Beach, CA

One man show at the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.  "Looking West, a Portrait of the Places I Love"

2022

CAC at the Bowers Museum

2020

California Art Club Gold Medal Hilbert Museum OC

2018

Showing in the Catalina Island Wildside show

​

A painting acquired by The Hilbert Museum of CA

2015

Commissioned by Big Canyon Country Club to paint a major painting

​

Acquired into The Irvine Museum Permanent Collection

​

Group Show “The Wild Side” Catalina Island Conservancy show

2013

One man show at Redfern Gallery

“Beaches and Coves of Laguna Beach"

2009

Collectors Choice Award Laguna Art Museum CA

2005

Honorable Mention Coastal Splendor Plein Air Invitational Crystal Cove, CA

2003

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

2002

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

2001

First Place Quick Draw Haggin Museum Yosemite Painters Group

Stockton, CA

​

Best of Show Award Lahaina Maui, HI

​

First Place Quick Draw Competition “Third Annual Desert Plein Air”

La Quinta, CA 

bottom of page