John Cosby

ARTISTS

A passionate painter, Cosby extensively explores the world, capturing the essence of various locales through his bold use of color and dynamic brushstrokes. Born in Hollywood, California in 1955 and inspired by his oil painter grandmother, Cosby started his artistic journey early in life. After working as an advance man for the US Government's Executive Branch and sailing along the eastern seaboard, he returned to California, focusing on fine art painting and building a successful career through strong gallery support.

Cosby, a founding board member of the Laguna Plein-air Painters Association, has also held signature memberships in both the Plein-air Painters of America and The California Art Club. With his striking contemporary style, he has garnered the attention of significant collectors, and his work can be found in numerous private, public, and corporate collections worldwide. A documentary showcasing Cosby's life adventures and achievements is slated for release in late 2023.

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John Cosby's List of Awards and
Recent Exhibitions

• 2022 CAC at the Bowers Museum
• 2021 California Art Club Gold Medal Hilbert Museum OC
• 2020 California Art Club Gold Medal Hilbert Museum OC
• 2019 ARC Salon 2nd Place in Pleinair
• 2019 Showing in the Catalina Island Wildside show
• 2019 Began being represented at Vanessa Rothe Fine Art Laguna Beach CA
• 2018 Showing in the Catalina Island Wildside show
• 2018 A painting acquired by The Hilbert Museum of CA Art
• 2016 Presenter at the "Lost Coast Show in Florida"
• 2016 Showing in the Catalina Island Wildside show
• 2016 Featured in the PBS Show "Color in your Life"
• 2016 The Irvine Museum Summer Exhibition "A Summer Idyll"
• 2015 Commissioned by Big Canyon Country Club to paint a major painting
• 2015 Acquired into The Irvine Museum Permanent Collection
• 2015 Group Show “The Wild Side” Catalina Island Conservancy show
• 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
• 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 Collectors 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, Laguna 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, Maui, HI
• 2001 First Place, Quick Draw Competition, “Third Annual Desert Plein Air”; La Quinta, CA