S13E08 John Cosby

As a painter John 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, John 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.

John Cosby started traveling at an early age. 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) 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.

John 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 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 and is now in it’s 18th year.