Forrest Hibbits

Who is Forrest Hibbits?

Forrest Hibbits was a mid-century fine artist and watercolorist. He was born in Lompoc, California, on October 9, 1905. He left the Hibbits family ranch to attend the California College of Arts and Crafts and graduated ca. 1927. He taught at the San Francisco Art Institute. Hibbits was married to fellow artist Marie Jaans, whom he met in North Beach. He created a poster for the 1939 World's Fair on Treasure Island in San Francisco. Hibbits worked as a commercial illustrator along with fellow artist Clyde Follet Seavey at Patterson and Sullivan in San Francisco. Marie and Forrest moved from San Francisco back to the Lompoc/Santa Ynez Valley area in the 1940s after Hibbits joined the Army, and lived there for the rest of their lives. He worked as an illustrator for the Army, and also created a collection of cartoons. which he sent to friends and relatives. Later, he taught at the Santa Barbara Art Institute. Hibbits worked in many styles, including nudes, representational landscapes, surreal scenes, semi-abstract and abstract works. He used oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, graphite and mixed media. He experimented in new media and styles throughout his career. He loved to paint women and cats. Hibbits was also a talented teacher. He sold his work in a small store front adjacent to his studio in Buellton called "La Petite Gallerie" from the 1950s until the late 1980s. He was a member of the California National Water Color Society from 1948-1953.