Cecile Baird is a signature member and five-year Merit award recipient of the colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA). After receiving BFA and MA degrees from Ohio State University, she worked as a graphic designer for many years before turning her talents to fine art. After discovering the possibilities of this versatile medium about 15 years ago she has become one of the foremost colored pencil artists in the country. Her realistic style and dramatic use of lighting make Cecile's work instantly recognizable.
Baird is the author of the popular art instruction book, Painting Light with Colored Pencil, published by North Light Books in 2005 and reprinted in paperback in the spring of 2008. Her artwork is also featured in Paint-Illustrated Techniques for Every Medium, also by North Light, and 100 Ways to Paint Favorite Subjects by International Artist where she is on the cover and has the feature article. Artwork by Cecile has also been featured in American Artist, The Artist's Magazine, International Artist, and Southwest Art Magazine. Cecile was very honored to have her "Light Up Your Life" featured on the cover of the winter 2015 issue of Drawing magazine.
Cecile has won numerous awards in regional, national and international shows including the 2008 CPSA International Show. Her latest award was first place in Southwest Art Magazine's Emerging Artists 21 over 31 2010. Since the publication of her book, Cecile taught colored pencil workshops around the country.
After receiving BFA and MA degrees in Visual Communications Design from Ohio State University I worked as a graphic designer in St. Louis and Los Angeles for many years. Since returning to Ohio I turned my artistic aspirations to fine art.
Light is the main source of inspiration for my art. Through the still life genre I love to explore how light can transform simple objects into works of art. I often employ back lighting to enhance the transparent qualities of objects such as grapes, oranges or flowers that most people never notice. Using a realistic style, strong composition and dramatic values I turn simple still life arrangements into dynamic art pieces. I want the viewer of my work to share my sense of wonder and joy in the ordinary objects of everyday life.
Colored Pencil is my medium of choice. I started working in oils but discovered Colored Pencils about 25 years ago. I found that I could get the look of oils with colored pencils which fit perfectly with my love of drawing. I, along with other contemporary colored pencil artists, am taking colored pencil to new heights. It is no longer merely a sketching tool but a legitimate fine art tool as my work shows. I am proud to be one of the leaders in the forefront of this movement.
I am a signature and 15 year merit award member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and have been fortunate to have received numerous regional, national and international awards. My work has been published in The Artist’s Magazine, American Artist, International Artist, Southwest Art and Art Renewal Center’s Arc Salon publication. I was very honored to be on the cover of the summer 2015 issue of Drawing Magazine. In 2005 I authored the book Painting Light with Colored Pencil published by North Light Books and taught colored pencil workshops around the country for many years. Eventually I made the decision to give up the teaching to devote full time to my own paintings.
Cecile has won numerous awards in regional, national and international shows including the 2008 CPSA International Show. Her latest award was 1st place in Southwest Art Magazine's Emerging Artists 21 over 31 2010. Since the publication of her book, Cecile taught colored pencil workshops around the country until family duties required her to give up teaching at least for a while.
Light is the main source of inspiration for my art. Through the still life genre, I love to explore how light can transform simple objects into works of art. I often employ back lighting to enhance the transparent qualities of objects such as grapes, oranges or flowers that most people never notice. Using a realistic style, strong composition and dramatic values I turn simple still life arrangements into dynamic art pieces. I want the viewer of my work to share my sense of wonder and joy in the ordinary objects of everyday life.
Oil and colored pencil are my mediums of choice. I started working in oils which I still love and use today but discovered colored pencils about 15 years ago. I found that I could get the look of oils with colored pencils which fit perfectly with my love of drawing. I, along with other contemporary colored pencil artists, am taking colored pencil to new heights. It is no longer merely a sketching tool but a legitimate fine art tool as my work shows. I am proud to be one of the leaders in the forefront of this movement.
"Royal Rainiers” wins Best of Show and People's Choice Awards at the Collector's Reserve Invitational Exhibition and Sale at the Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK
"Pearl Nautilus" and "Lemons" was recently juried into the 8th Biennial National Art Exhibition at the Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL
"Any Way You Slice It" wins first place in Southwest Art magazine's Emerging Artist 21 over 21! The picture was featured in the Nov 2010 issue.
"Any Way You Slice It" wins staff award at The Art Renewal Center's Salon International Exhibition 2010.
"Fragile Beauty" was recently juried into the Blossom II - Art of the Flower exhibition. The exhibition will open to the public on February 1, 2011, and run through April 10, 2011, at the Naples Museum of Art in Naples, FL.
"Light Up Your Life” featured on the cover of Drawing magazine winter issue 2015. Article featuring more artwork, pages 38-40.
"Tear Jerker" juried into the Colored Pencil Society of America International Exhibition 2015
"Tear Jerker" won the Plaza Art Supplies Award at the Viewpoint 47 2015 National Juried Art Competition on the 125th Anniversary of the Cincinnati Art Club
"True Beauty Lies Within" juried into the Drawing Exhibition at the Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH