Cecile Baird

Cecile Baird is a signature member and 5-Year Merit Award Recipient of the colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA).  After receiving BFA and MA degrees from The 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.

Cecile 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 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.