Opening Reception: Ann Phong & John Cosby
Experience the excitement of two new art exhibitions inside both of Casa Romantica’s art gallery spaces! Sip complimentary wine, enjoy light snacks, and immerse yourself in an evening of art and community. On view in the Art Gallery is “Making Peace with the Earth” by Ann Phong, a powerful series of contemporary works inspired by environmental conservation. In the Studio, celebrated artist John Cosby presents his vibrant plein air paintings that capture the beauty and spirit of the natural world.
The Art Gallery reception is located in the Courtyard; The Studio reception is located in the Main Salon.
About Ann Phong (Art Gallery)
Born in Saigon Vietnam and now resides in Southern California, Ann received her MFA in painting from California State University, Fullerton in 1995, and has participated in over 200 solo and group exhibitions, spanning from local galleries to museums, from Los Angeles to Houston, Dallas, Bloomington, Omaha, Hartford, Vancouver, Bangkok, Taichung, Chengdu, Seoul and Tokyo. In 2019, the Santa Ana City awarded Ann a city grant for artists. In 2025, Ann also received the prestigious Lakers’ In The Paint Grant from the LA Lakers. Ann Phong’s art transcends traditional boundaries. In each canvas, she weaves a poetic narrative of our shared journey through life, marred by the detritus of our existence. Phong’s work is a symphony of colors and brushstrokes that evoke motion, harmoniously intertwined with an array of found objects meticulously positioned. Through this unique artistic lens, she eloquently conveys her deep concern for the common civilians today, and the state of our Earth. Her work is more than mere visual art; it serves as a poignant commentary on the environment and human issues we collectively face.
Learn more about this exhibition>>
About John Cosby (The Studio)
Cosby, a San Clemente-based painter, is known for his bold use of color, energetic brushwork, and ability to capture the truth and feeling of a place. Born in Hollywood in 1955 and inspired early on by his grandmother, an oil painter, he developed a fearless love for creating art. His travels began young—at 18, he worked for the Executive Branch under two U.S. Presidents, where encounters with great artworks shaped his future as an artist. After leaving government service, he spent three years sailing and sketching along the East Coast, launching his art career. Returning to California, Cosby found success in commercial illustration before dedicating himself fully to fine art, painting the sea and landscapes of coastal California. A founding board member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and a Signature Member of the Plein Air Painters of America and California Art Club, Cosby’s work is celebrated worldwide in both private and public collections.
