A plein-air painter based in southern California, John Cosby uses strong, bold brushstrokes to depict landscapes, figures and marine scenes from the many locations including Laguna Beach, Hawaii, and Taos, New Mexico.

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 US Government, served under two Presidents and traveled the world, admiring the great works of art he encountered.

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. While Cosby works on location around the world, he currently resides and maintains a studio in San Clemente, CA.

Professional Memberships

Founding Board Member, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association; Signature Member, Plein Air Painters of America; Signature Member, 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 almost 20 years.

Selected Exhibitions

2016 The Irvine Museum Summer Exhibition "A Summer Idyll"

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