cindy wilbur

BIO

Cindy was born and raised in San Diego. She has loved art as far back as she can remember. Her letters to Santa always asked for art supplies and dolls. After outgrowing dolls, her parents converted her playhouse into her first art studio.

In her mid-20’s, she moved to the Central Valley of California. At the time she was painting in a more whimsical style. Her work was featured and sold in galleries and shops along the Pacific Coast.

In her 30’s, she graduated from University of The Pacific in Stockton with a multiple subject credential and a supplemental credential in art. Cindy taught second grade for several years and during the summers, she taught private art classes for children.

Since that time, Cindy’s work has encompassed many different styles and genres. She started out painting mostly portraits and figures but after having a home on the Central Coast, her love of painting the landscape and the outdoors began. She loves traveling and painting in new places and meeting fellow artists across the U.S. and abroad.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I once heard a saying, “To be inspired means to be in spirit." For me, being out among God’s great creation is the best inspiration. There, all of my senses become part of my painting, not just sight but touch and sound, all flowing together onto my canvas. Light is probably what first inspires me to paint a certain scene, light vs. shadow, warm vs. cool; or lack of light, creating mood and atmosphere.

I love my studio time as well. It is there that I can create larger paintings, carrying with me the memory of recent outdoor experiences. It is there that I have the time to add my own style and nuances to a scene already lightly captured ‘en plein air.' I remember well my very first studio. It was a doll house that my father converted for me as a child. There, out in the yard, I learned the pleasures of freeing my creative energies into something I could share with others.

My work is most known for its impressionistic or “painterly” style, favoring serene, pictorial landscapes. I prefer to suggest, rather than render, simplifying large shapes of color and value, leaving the details to the viewer. I feel this allows them to explore my paintings, the same way I so eagerly explored my surroundings. My goal is to convey my feelings through my heart and brush in hopes that the viewer will gain the same sense of spirit that inspired me.

EXHIBITIONS

2016

  • 17th Annual National Juried Exhibition, American Impressionist Society, Kirkland, WA

  • Art Takes Wing, Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters' Association (MBPAPA), Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, CA

  • Our Piece of Paradise - 1st Place "Coastal Splendor," MBPAPA, Pacific Grove Art Center , Pacific Grove, CA

  • Romancing the Landscape - 1st Place "Tranquil Moments," Laguna Plein Air Association, Laguna Beach, CA

  • Less is More - 1st Place "Summer Dunes," Laguna Plein Air Association, Laguna Beach, CA

  • Where in the World is Plein Air, Illume Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT

2015

  • Holiday Treasures, Debra Huse Gallery, Newport Beach, CA

  • Healing Feast for the Soul - Honorable Mention “Homeward Bound,” MBPAPA Natividad Show, The Alvarado Gallery, Monterey, CA

  • Oil Painters of America Salon, Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham, AL

  • Big Blue Live - Honorable Mention "Coastal Shore," Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey, CA

  • Atmosphere - Honorable Mention "Coastal Veil,” Carmel Visual Arts, Carmel, CA

  • Where in the World is Plein Air, Illume Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT

  • Fall Colors of the Central Coast - 1st Place "Three Sisters,” MBPAPA, Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove, CA

  • 22nd Annual Carmel Plein Air Festival - Jennifer Hill Memorial Award, Carmel, CA

  • Small Treasures - 2nd Place "Twilight," Debra Huse Gallery, Newport Beach, CA

  • 27th Annual Fine Art Show - 1st Place "Almost Home," 2nd Place "Coastal Splendor," Honorable Mentions "Bountiful" and "Three Sisters," Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

  • Our Best Work - 2nd Place "Coastal Splendor," MBPAPA, The Alvarado Gallery, Monterey, CA

  • From the Heart, Epperson Gallery, Crockett, CA

  • Deck the Halls, Segil Fine Art, Monrovia, CA

2014

  • Signature Show - Honorable Mention "Shadowed Path," MBPAPA, The Alvarado Gallery, Monterey, CA

  • Small Treasures, Debra Huse Gallery, Newport Beach, CA

  • 6 Inch Squared, Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA

  • 26th Annual Fine Art Show - 1st Place "Home Ranch," Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

2013

  • 6 Inch Squared, Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA

  • 17th Annual National Juried Exhibition, American Impressionist Society, Charleston, SC

  • Best of Plein Aire, Laguna Plein Air Association, Costa Mesa, CA

  • 25th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Oil Painters of America, Fredricksburg, TX

  • **Signature Show - Gallery Award "Coming Home," MBPAPA, Mountainsong Gallery, Carmel, CA CONFIRM PAINTING TITLE (SEE 2012)

  • All Member Show - 1st Place "Spring Valley," MBPAPA, Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove, CA

  • 25th Annual Fine Art Show - Honorable Mentions "DaVine" and "Homeward Bound," Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

2012

  • 13th Annual Juried Exhibition, American Impressionist Society, Indianapolis, IN

  • 6 Inch Squared, Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA

  • Signature Show - Gallery Award and Honorable Mention "Coming Home," MBPAPA, Mountainsong Gallery, Carmel, CA

  • 24th Annual Fine Art Show - 2nd place "Valley Vines," Honorable Mention "Mission View," Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

2011

  • 13th Annual Juried Exhibition, American Impressionist Society, Charleston, SC

  • Spring Art Show, Central California Art Association at Mistlin Gallery, Modesto, CA

  • 6 Inch Squared, Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA

  • 23rd Annual Fine Art Show - 3rd place "Dawn’s Light," Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

2010

  • 22nd Annual Fine Art Show - 1st Place "Dancing Vines," Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

  • **Show Title, 1st Place - "French Cafe," 2nd Place "Closing Hours," Ripon Gallery Name, Location

  • 6 Inch Squared - Honorable Mention "Valley Vineyard," Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA

2009

  • Spring Art Show - 1st Place "Hawaiian Shores," Central California Art Association at Mistlin Gallery, Modesto, CA

2008

  • 20th Annual Fine Art Show, Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

  • **The Riverbank Juried Show - Mayors Award "Tiny Thoughts," Gallery Name, Location

  • 59th Juried Art Exhibition, Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA

  • Spring Art Show, Central California Art Association at Mistlin Gallery, Modesto, CA

  • **Show Title - 3rd Place "Lunch At Bubba’s," The Avery Gallery, Seaside, CA

2007

  • Spring Art Show: Figuratively Speaking, Central California Art Association at Mistlin Gallery, Modesto, CA

  • 19th Annual Fine Art Show - 3rd place "Lavender Fields," Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

2006

  • 18th Annual Fine Art Show, Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

  • **Show Title, 1st Place - "Waiting for Dad," 1st Place "After Hours," Ripon Gallery Name, Location

  • 57th Juried Art Exhibition, Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA

  • Group Show - Honorable Mentions "Bouquet" and "Day Break," Carriage House Art Gallery, La Canada, CA

2005

  • 17th Annual Fine Art Show, Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

  • **Show Title, 2nd Place and Mayors Award “Waiting for Dad, Honorable Mention “After Hours,” Turlock Gallery Name, Turlock, CA

  • **Show Title, 1st Place - "Waiting for Dad," 1st Place "After Hours," Ripon Gallery Name, Location

  • Group Show - Honorable Mention “Beyond The Gate,” Carriage House Art Gallery, La Canada, CA

2004

  • 16th Annual Fine Art Show, Delacato Family Vineyards, French Camp, CA

  • **Show Title, Honorable Mention “Just Passing By," Ripon Gallery Name, Location

  • 55th Juried Art Exhibition, Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA

  • Group Show, Carriage House Art Gallery, La Canada, CA