
Isabel Forbes
Raised in Spartanburg, SC, Isabel draws from a successful career in graphic design and illustration, coupled with a bachelor of fine arts degree from Florida’s Ringling College of Art & Design. As a lifelong student, her love of art is always evolving as her influences and interests continue to challenge her by experimenting with new techniques and ways to create and learning from mentors such as West Fraser, Bo Bartlett, Burt Silverman, Sigmund Abeles, Charles Sovek, and Alex Powers.
Isabel paints full time in her “working studio & gallery” in Spartanburg, SC
- 2021 Counterfeit, Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg, SC
- 2020 Hometown, Caldwell Banker Caine, Spartanburg, SC
- 2019 A Celebration of American Women Artist, Providence Gallery, Charlotte, NC
- 2017 Capturing Light, Cabarrus Arts Council, Concord, NC
- 2015 Night In Havana, The Art Lounge, Spartanburg, SC
- 2012 USCA-Etherredge Center Art Gallery, Aiken, SC
- 2021 Painting Commission for Mary Black Foundation Anniversary
- 2016 SC State Park Residency
- 2013 People’s Choice – Spartanburg Artists Guild, Spartanburg, SC
- 2005 First Place – Fraser Fox Award & Honorable Mention Award – Artist & Craftsman Supply Award, COPA Paint Out, Charleston, SC
- 2003 Honorable Mention, Federal People’s Choice Art Exhibit, Charleston, SC
- 2002 Third Place, Charleston Artist Guild Signature Show, Charleston, SC
- 2001 First Place, First Federal People’s Choice Art Exhibit, Charleston, SC
- Second Place, Folly Beach Art Festival, Folly Beach SC
- Best of Show, Coastal Carolina Fair, Ladson, SC
- 2000 Third Place, Cultural Arts Program, N. Charleston, SC
- 1999 Purchase Award, First Federal People’s Choice Art Exhibit, Charleston, SC
- 1998 Honorable Mention, Magnolia Gardens Art Competition
- 1994 Traveling Exhibition, National Watercolor Society, Brea, CA
- 1994 Best of Show, Women’s Caucus for Art, Sarasota, FL
- 1993 Best of Show, Anna Maria Festival of Fine Art, Anna Maria Island, FL
- The Nature of Things, Isabel Forbes Exhibit Review • Neely review Oct 2016 Forbes show by Scott Neely
- Best of America Oil Artists • Kennedy Publishing
- Artist’s Among Us, 100 Faces in Spartanburg • Hub City Press
- Spartanburg Herald Journal – January 4, 2009 • Painter Isabel Forbes proves you can go home again
- Wofford College News Room – August 27, 2010 • In Plain Sight
- Eastside Living, N2Publishing November 2017
- Elysian Magazine, Palladian Publications Spring 2016