Bobbye West-Thompson is a fourth generation Californian who has been fortunate to live along the coast, from San Diego to Santa Cruz, all her adult life. After earning her BA (Cal State Northridge) and MA (UC Santa Barbara), she taught in the public and private sectors for several years. She was Management Trainer for the hotel industry; Project Director for “The Big Blue Marble” a children’s television program; authored “Art Aardvark” published by the Learning Works, in Santa Barbara; and for twelve years, owned California Learning Center tutoring students in reading, math and SAT preparation.

Courtesy of Bobbye West-Thompson

Although a passion for art always existed, West-Thompson’s career demands left little time to pursue personal artistic endeavors. She is basically self-taught but, since retiring, has participated in several watercolor and pastel workshops. She uses her life-long interest in photography to develop watercolor and pastel work both in her studio and in the field. Her use of vibrant pastels and pure pigment watercolors is her “signature style.”

Courtesy of Bobbye West-Thompson

West-Thompson has been accepted into juried shows in California and Oregon and was recently awarded First Place in the all-pastel exhibit at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History. She, her husband, and their four-legged “children” reside in Los Osos, CA. She belongs to the Central Coast Watercolor Society, Pastel Society of the West Coast, SLO Museum of Art, Cayucos Art Association, and the newly formed California Central Coast Pastel Artists (3CPS).

Courtesy of Bobbye West-Thompson

West-Thompson’s exhibit is on display through April 29, 2023.  The library is open Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.