Biography

Drawing world-wide attention, through sell-out shows, celebrity events and numerous charities, Colleen Ross' work has broken through all realms of the national and international media. Her work has been featured in multiple publications and media venues, including PEOPLE Magazine, UPI Press, New York Times, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, Variety, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Access Hollywood, Barbara Walters celebrity interviews, ABC Prime Time, Good Morning America, movies and Television.

Born into a struggling, working class family, Ross found her escape through art. Painting by age fifteen, she began to develop and hone her skills as a figurative artist. Mesmerized by the beauties on the silver screen and in romance comics, Ross developed a love for the female face and form.  In her thirties, Ross began painting professionally, and was catapulted into the vibrant and blossoming art scene, forever capturing the hearts of her avid collectors. Ross' passion for her art is fueled by the true vulnerability she feels with each of her subjects. Her childhood influences of romance comic books, black and white movies and the Ed Sullivan Show are still vivid in her creations. Ross’ art is a unique expression of her artistic soul and personal story. Her signature originality combines the highest quality and grade of Masterpiece with "Campy" playfulness and ROCK-STAR attitude!

Celebrity clientele and Collectors include:

Brooke Shields whose show with Ross generated such a buzz, lines of fans stretched down Rodeo Drive in Beverley Hills to see the artist and star.

Delta Burke, whose portrait was featured on the Barbara Walter's special as well as in Delta's autobiography.

Teri Hatcher, a fan and close friend of Ross’ since the 80's. Ross has done portraits of both Teri and her daughter, paintings featured on the hit show, Desperate Housewives and the illustrations for Teri Hatcher’s memoir, Burnt Toast.

George Lucas, who loaned Ross his Tucker car which she then in turn immortalized in the piece “Very Nice Lines”.

Andrew Solt,an Emmy Award winner and well-known in the industry for his documentaries of Jacque Cousteau, the Rolling Stones and the book "Imagine", celebrating his friend John Lennon. (After the death of Andy Warhol, Claudia Fulkenburg, Solt's wife, looking for another portrait artist, chose Ross, saying that there was only "one choice left " that was of the same caliber as Warhol to do her portrait).

Narada Michael Walden, famed musical genius for Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and soul icon Aretha Franklin.

John Farrar, the Oscar-nominated "Hopelessly Devoted to You", record producer, song writer and composer.

Others include, Nicolas Cage, Jane Seymour, 70's icon Farrah Fawcett, Grant Woods Attorney General of Arizona, Jerry Sanders C.E.O. of AMD, international artist Hisashi Otsuka,  Al Green, president and C.E.O. of Autodesk,  John Tenny, Ryan O’neal,Yumi Sato Interior Coordinator of Tokyo Japan, Bailey Company (Arby’s Corporation), PACSAT, Microsoft, Raul Walters and other giants in their industries, all devoted collectors of Ross' art.

Charities:

Colleen Ross has always been an advocate of others and has been involved with many charities and charity events. Such charities include, The March of Dimes, Jerry Rice Foundation, Marin Abused Women’s services (MAWS), Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, AIDS Foundation, Comedy For A Cure, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Bay Area Art Community.