Meet Virginia Kamhi | Pastel Artist and Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Virginia Kamhi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Virginia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I would have to say I just fell into this business of being an artist. I had always loved art and had taken some art classes in college, but it wasn’t until I retired from teaching elementary school that I actually had time to devote to making art. Upon retiring, I took up pastels and quickly fell in love. I began studying whenever I had the opportunity with the world’s greatest living pastel artists. Art became a passion, and to improve, I took drawing classes at the community college. I was passionate about learning, so when Covid hit, I went back to school to get my Master’s in Fine Art Painting. As a member of various art clubs, I had been selling my artwork at outdoor shows and in galleries. Soon, I could no longer claim art as a hobby. It was a serious business. Although I now paint in oils as well, pastels are my passion, and I want to share my love with others. I have been teaching pastels since 2018 at Conejo Adult School and in my home studio. Taking my artwork to the business level was a big commitment and a huge learning curve, but it has brought me great joy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am drawn to paint the movement and rhythms of the ocean. Growing up in Southern California, I spent a lot of time at the beach, and I have always found solace beside the sea. I chose UC Santa Barbara for my B.A. for this reason, and I have always lived within a short drive of the blue Pacific, if not within walking distance. I am fascinated by the motion of the sea and spend many hours studying the changing tides, wave action, and sea foam. I seek to paint the translucency of water and how light shines and bounces at different times of day and in different seasons. My pastel paintings are expressively realistic works that convey the magic and mystery I feel beside the sea.
It has been an uphill climb and a lot of work to get to where I am today. I had a late start, but I am now competing with artists who have been painting for 30 or 40 years or more. I have to constantly remind myself that I am not in competition with them, but rather only with myself. I sometimes feel I am throwing myself at a wall when I enter a higher-level show. But on occasion, I do stick. I must remember that I cannot possibly win if I do not enter, and I must continually set higher and higher goals for myself. Most importantly, learning and growing have become my mantra and way of life.
Goal-setting has played a crucial role in my artistic journey. This past year, I achieved a few more of my artistic goals when I was juried into the prestigious Women Artists of the West, sold a painting for my highest amount yet, and became a finalist in the established artists’ division of the Richeson 100. In addition, I had two paintings in a beautiful exhibition at the Santa Paula Art Museum and one at the Hilbert Museum of California Art, and I sold more paintings than ever before in a year at a time when art sales were down. In addition, I was recently juried into a new gallery. I am proud of these successes, but my work has just begun.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love the ocean, so I would want to share my favorite spots in Malibu. I adore Paradise Cove Beach Cafe for brunch. Afterward, El Matador State Beach is not to be missed. A favorite place for wedding and engagement photos, this stunning beach is worth the steep hike down and back up. Another favorite spot is Leo Carrillo State Beach with its beautiful cliffs and hidden coves. It is one of my preferred places to paint. After the beach, I would take my friend to Malibu Farm at the Malibu Pier or Geoffrey’s for dinner and to watch the sunset.
As an artist, I am inspired by the wealth of art museums and galleries in the area. The Getty Museum is not to be missed, and the Getty Villa is wonderful with a scenic view of the ocean. We are so fortunate that these two beautiful museums were not lost in the Palisades Fire of 2025. Both are worthy of a full day, and the museum cafes offer decent food. A favorite restaurant nearby is Teleferic Barcelona Los Angeles for tapas and sangria.
Visitors to L.A. are always interested in people-watching at Venice Beach, so I would spend a morning there, then go to The Backyard on Ocean Avenue for a casual lunch. It’s fun to take a stroll along the Third Street Promenade, and I always like to check out the artwork at Bergamot Station. The Basement Tavern on Main Street is a fun speakeasy for evening drinks, and the Santa Monica Pier is beautiful at night.
Of course, the Arts District is not to be missed. This vibrant neighborhood features murals, galleries, performances, and numerous restaurants and bars. One of my favorites is Hojokban, a relatively new Korean restaurant.
I’m a long-time Dodgers fan, so if it’s baseball season, I would have to take my friend out to the ballgame. I adore Phillipe The Original on Alameda Street and have been going there since I was a kid. It’s perfect for a pre-game beef dip sandwich, not that I wouldn’t also buy a Dodger Dog at the game.
Out-of-towners always want to see Hollywood and the Avenue of the Stars and perhaps take some photos of the Hollywood sign. The best spot for these photos involves a hike of about six miles beginning in Griffith Park, so we would pack a picnic lunch. It’s an easy hike, and the views from above the sign are stunning. Jemma Hollywood on Vine Street is a great place for a casual Italian dinner.
Los Angeles is rich with cultural attractions, food, and scenery, so it’s tough to compress a visit into just one week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been fortunate to have been mentored by Ojai artists Jannene Behl and Bert Collins, as well as Richard McKinley, Gil Dellinger, and Skip Whitcomb, among others. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Academy of Art University for my training in their fine art Master’s program. But, most of all, my family has stood beside me and encouraged me. My husband Victor is my constant support and personal sherpa who schleps my artwork from show to show.

Website: https://www.virginiakamhifineart.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/virginiakamhifineart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-kamhi-25519a149

Facebook: https://facebook.com/virginia.kamhi/

Image Credits
For image of me painting at the beach, Chi Luong.