Artist
Sunny Hilliker
United States
Born in 1957
Joined Artisor: November 2024
Artist Stats
Total pieces for sale: 1
Bio
Sunny Hilliker is a California artist with a focus on contemporary realism. Born and raised in rural Minnesota, she developed a respect and appreciation for nature which greatly influences her work. Early on, her desire for creative expression took other forms such as woodworking and photography, until near age 50 when she first explored oil paint. While maintaining a career in accounting, she completed various drawing, art history, and digital design courses–which were enriching but did not lead to producing works of fine art. Ultimately discovering the magic of oil paint, she found her true platform for creative expression. Numerous in-person and online training sessions with master artists have provided knowledge, inspiration, and skill building techniques. Sunny describes her journey as self-guided instead of self-taught. She views the path of the artist as one of continual growth, and constantly challenges herself in developing her vision. Historic icons influencing her work are Joaquin Sorolla and Nicolai Fechin. Painting outdoors or “en plein air” has had a major impact on Sunny’s painting journey. She has been active in plein air group outings in the San Diego and Laguna Beach areas for over 15 years. For her, painting from life spurs enthusiasm throughout the process–whether creating landscapes or portraits. No matter the theme, Sunny’s overall priority is to create authentic work. She follows the rule of thumb for subject matter, to “paint what you love.” Minnesota roots will often draw her to rural scenes, but her years of living near the beach continue to influence scenes of boating and coastal experiences. Active memberships include the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Oil Painters of America, California Art Club, the San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild, Fallbrook Art Center, and the American Impressionist Society.
- Artworks
- Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
1978 Associate in Arts – Religious Studies
Crown College, Saint Bonifacius, MN
2006 Associate in Arts – Liberal Arts
San Diego Mesa College, San Diego, CA
RECENT AWARDS &JURIED SHOWS
2024 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association – LPAPA Squared “Oak Glen Apples” Finalist
2024 San Diego Museum of Art MOPA@SDMA – Highlights from The San Diego Museum of
Art Artists Guild “La Jolla Overlook”
2024 California Art Club – The Fascinations of Fall Virtual Show “Within Reach”
2024 105 N. Main Gallery – Cool Cool Water Art Show “Camel Point Break”, Second Place
2024 Juried Fine Art Exhibit San Diego County Fair “Eden Roses”, “Uncle Leo’s Visit”
2023 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association – Less is More “One Cup of Cherries”
2023 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association – LPAPA Squared “Camel Point Break”, Finalist
2023 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild – A Walk through Nature “La Jolla Overlook”,
Honorable Mention
2023 72nd Fine Art Open Show at the North Coastal Art Gallery – “Beach Break”, Best of Show
2023 San Diego County Fair Fine Art Exhibit – “Rose Cascade” and “Wind Offering”, Third
Place
2023 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Spring Online Exhibition “Shimmering Light at
Laguna Beach Keyhole”
2022 American Impressionist Society – Third Annual Online Exhibition “Summer Splash”
2022 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild – Gallery 21 “Rising Tide at Sunset Cliffs”
2022 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition “Villefranche-sur-Mer”
2022 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association – From Dusk to Dawn Alternate “Early Departure
for Plan B”
2022 Fallbrook Art Center 11th Annual Artists Guild Show “Rose Garden View”
2022 Juried Fine Art Exhibit San Diego County Fair “Rising Tide at Sunset Cliffs”,
“Villefranche-sur-Mer”, “Harbor Morning”, and “Longboarders at Tourmaline”
2022 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Spring Exhibition “Villefranche-sur-Mer”
2021 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association 15th Annual Less is More Alternate “Persistence”
2021 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Transitions “Late Afternoon at Marine Street
Beach”
2020 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association Town & Country “San Diego River Reeds &
Reflections”
2020 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association 16th Annual Best of Plein Air Alternate”Cliffs at
Cabrillo”
2020 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Online International “San Diego River Reeds &
Reflections”
2019 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association Art & Nature Alternate”Above La Jolla Shores”
and “Wind and Sea Thrills”
2019 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association 13th Annual Less is More Alternate “Ghost Ranch
Vista”
2019 Front Porch Gallery Annual Juried Show “Shell Beach”
2019 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Au Naturel “Along Oak Canyon Trail”
2019 Fine Art Exhibit San Diego County Fair “High Tide at Sunset Cliffs” & “Spring Morning at
Mission San Luis Rey” and “Safe Harbor”
2018 BoldBrush FAV15% September for “Shell Beach La Jolla”
2018 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Gallery 21 “Safe Harbor” and “Shell Beach La
Jolla”
2018 Fine Art Exhibit San Diego County Fair for “Wind, Water, and Time on Point Loma”
and “Tumbling Waves at Coronado Beach”
2018 3rd Place October Carlsbad Oceanside Art League for “Breaking Light at Sunset Cliffs”
2018 Honorable Mention June Carlsbad Oceanside Art League, “High Tide at Sunset Cliffs”