"I paint to share my imagination and love of the craft."

Educated in Fine Art painting at The Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts in Detroit Michigan, USA, Byron Coons became an illustrator early in his career. He worked with national advertising agencies throughout the 1980s and 90s all the while nurturing his beloved craft - painting.

In the 1980s Byron's work was published by Pomegranate Publications and North Light Books gaining international recognition over the following years. Since, his work has been published in books, newsprint, posters and note cards. In 1991 he was awarded with a Silver Medal from the Los Angeles Society of Illustrators. With group and one artist exhibits in the US and Europe he notes his career has always been an inspiring adventure.

His unwavering dedication to his personal art form has been enhanced by the challenges presented to him when he worked as a commercial illustrator. Presently working as a fine artist determined to succeed in the commercialized art world of today, it continues to be his aspiration to become widely distributed in the international arena of Fine Art publishing and painting.

Byron Coons
Biography
b. 1951
Detroit, Michigan
USA


2009
Park Art Fair International
Winner, Online Exhibit and Public Showing
Geneva Switzerland
Nov.19th. thru Nov.28th. 2009

Marziart Internationale Galerie5 Artist Show
Hamburg Germany
Exhibit - Nov.6th. thru Dec.4th. 2009

ROOTED
CULTUREINSIDE
Online competition
Finalist-Rooted in Time
Galerie Clairefontaine
Luxembourg

Beauty of The Universe
Launches promotional website.
Selected works by internationally acclaimed American Artist, Byron Coons.
www.byroncoons.com

2008
"Sundial of Antiquity"
Unveiled
Completion of two-year production.

2007
Studio Open House
May
2-day Open Studio promotional event.
Byron Coons Studio

2006
Publishes limited editions of selected paintings in Giclee.
Titled: Inner Beauty of Outer Space
Titled: Timeless

2005
Studio Open House
May, July & October
Two-day studio promotional events.
Byron Coons Studio

2003 - 2005
“Timeless”
30”x40” Acrylic
Masterwork.

2003 Exhibition
Byron Coons - A Retrospective
City Hall, Palo Alto
In Association with the Palo Alto Cultural Center.

1998 - 2002
Return to studio to collect, reflect and continue
to produce new work.

1995 - 1997 Showing
Orlando Gallery
Sherman Oaks, California

1994 Exhibitions
Illustration West 33
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles
Murray Feldman Gallery
Pacific Design Center
Los Angeles, California
Award of Merit
Illustration titled: Behind Bell's

Pictures to Remember
Airbrush on illustration board. Painted images from artist's photography.
Gordon Biersh
Palo Alto, California
 
1991 Exhibitions
Illustration West 30
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
Los Angeles, California
Silver Medal Winner
Illustration titled: Maria

1990 Exhibitions & Publications
HOT AIR vol. 1
North Lights Books
An explosive international collection of top airbrush illustration.
Cover art and inside spotlight featuring the work of Byron Coons.

Illustration West 28
Trade Technical College
Fashion Center Gallery
Award of Merit
Illustrations titled: Cafe, FUN at PARTIES
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles

1989 Exhibitions & Publications
AIRPOWERED
A retrospective featuring the works of: Charles White III, Peter Lloyd, Philip Castle, Byron Coons
Reception with the artist featuring illustrative work for advertising and editorial publications.
Just Looking Gallery
Palo Alto, CA

Best In the West 88
American Advertising Federation
Award of Special Recognition
Illustration for 'Call for Entries' and award certificates
St. Francis Hotel
San Francisco, California

1988 Exhibitions
Byron Coons Retrospective
Just Looking Gallery
One-man show presenting ten years of airbrush work by the artist.
Palo Alto, California

1986 Exhibition
Illustration West 25
Wilshire Serrano Building
Award of Merit
Illustration titled: Aquaerotica
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles

1985 Exhibition
Illustration West 24
Loker Gallery
California Museum of Science and Industry
Award of Merit
Illustration titled: Pacifica
Society of Illustrator of Los Angeles

1984
Established Byron Coons Studio
Complete airbrush illustration studio producing illustration for advertising and publishing avenues.

A Spectacular Open House
Two-day studio promotional event
Byron Coons Studio
Palo Alto, California

1983
Exploration in airbrush techniques. Experiments in abstract and photo-realism.

1982
Illustration West 20
Department of Water and Power of Los Angeles
Award of Merit
Illustration Titled: Typhoon
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles

1981
A History of Creative Invention
CMX Corporation
Santa Clara, California
Lobby Mural 8'x32'
Airbrush on mounted Masonite. Eight panels illustrating the history of technology from early civilization through contemporary advances in utilities and entertainment.  

1980
Opening Night 1927
Lobby Mural 4'x5'
Airbrush on mounted Masonite illuminating opening night of this grand old landmark of Palo Alto and the glorious days and nights of early cinema.
The New Varsity Theatre
Palo Alto, California

Pomegranate Publications
Published note cards and offset prints.

1979 Exhibition
Aqua Dreams
Photo-realistic images of twentieth century American nostalgia.
A Book Gallery
San Francisco, California

1978
Began working with the airbrush.

1977 Exhibition
The Ambition of Every Cook
Oils on canvas depicting kitchens and cooking in nostalgic settings.
Richard Sumner Gallery
Palo Alto, California

1975
Established studio in Palo Alto, California

Night Passing
Ink drawings on paper.
Silverworks Gallery
Palo Alto, California
 
1974 Showings
London Arts Gallery
Birmingham, Michigan

Habitat Galleries
Dearborn, Michigan

Mondello's Interiors
Birmingham, Michigan

1969-71
The Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts
(currently College of Creative Studies)
Detroit, Michigan
Fine Arts Major in painting.
Minor - Intaglio graphics and art history.

1967   
Bloomfield Hills Art Association
Awarded Scholarship
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan