🖌️ A Bit About Me I started out painting wall murals in Florida while studying art, then took a detour into the tech world. But art was always with me—whether I was sketching in ink, working with watercolours, or sculpting in clay. For almost 20 years, I’ve been painting outdoors in oils, and more recently gouache. Since 2014, I’ve been doing it full-time.
I’ve painted all over—from the Sierra Nevada and California coast to Alaska, Colorado, and across Europe. These days, I live in Gozo, Malta, and spend summers painting in the Netherlands.
🌿 Why I Paint I find inspiration in the everyday. Whether it’s a quiet corner of a garden or a dramatic coastline, I love painting outdoors—what artists call plein air. There’s something magical about chasing the light, feeling the breeze, and trying to capture a moment before it slips away. The light changes fast, so I often return to the same spot a few times to finish a piece. Even still life scenes come alive when lit by natural light. For me, painting outside isn’t just about what you see—it’s about what you feel.
🖼️ Where You Might’ve Seen My Work I’ve shown my paintings in galleries and exhibitions in Malta, Gozo, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and the U.S. Some highlights:
- Artist in Residence at the Phoenicia Hotel, Malta (Feb 2022)
- Exhibits at Il-Ħaġar Museum and the Cittadella in Gozo
- Art in the Open in Ireland (Europe’s biggest plein air event)
- Schilderfestival in Noordwijk, Netherlands
- Solo shows in Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, and Floriana Malta
- Participated in group exhibitions Carson City, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Malta and Gozo
- Commissioned pieces for wineries in Sonoma, California
🎨 Learning & Growing I’ve taken workshops with some amazing artists like Camille Przewodek, Antonin Passemard, Anastasia Dukhanina, Lena Rivo and others. I’ve painted in France, Estonia, and Ireland, and even had paintings bought by locals during those trips. I also spent years with the Lake Tahoe Art League—organizing events, leading critiques, and painting with a great group of artists every week.
🌍 Collectors Around the World My work has found homes in the U.S., Australia, Malta, Ireland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
👩🎨 Member of:
- California Plein Air Painters
- Malta Life Drawing
🎨 Interested in a painting? Just drop me a message in the comments section on this site—I’d love to connect!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope my paintings speak to you—and if one does, don’t be shy about reaching out!
Dear Ms Cili,
Please note that one month ago we had visited your art exhibition at the Hagar Museum in Victoria Gozo and had booked the painting entitled ‘Broken Windmill’. We hope to visit Gozo (where we own an apartment) as soon as the issue with Covid-19 eases off and we would like to visit your art studio to purchase the painting. Can you please give us your contact details so that we would be able to reach you to make the necessary arrangements?
Thanks and regards
Joseph and Monica Galea
Hello Joseph,
Apologies as I only just saw your post. The painting is still in the Hagar so it is not at my studio. Lovely to hear from you and so happy you are going to own this painting. You can contact me any time at 77771822. Once the museum reopens it will be available to you. Best Regards, Norma
Hello Joseph,
As restrictions are lifting please call.me when you are coming over so we can arrange for you to get the painting.
Thank you, Norma
Hello Norma,
I love your paintings. There are a couple I am interested in, however I do not live in Gozo – would you consider shipping your artwork internationally?
Please let me know, many thanks
Jessica
Hello Mrs. Cili,
We’ve met this afternoon, near Oosthem Friesland, where we were on our bikes. Had a nice chat, you were painting, my husband Theo and I were curious and interested.
And so, after coming home in Sneek, we visited your website. Your work is beautiful.
Enjoy your stay in Friesland. Maybe we’ll meet again someday.
Kind regards,
Theo en Truida
Lovely style, colours and subjects Norma. Thanks for letting us share your picture of the DBA Veurne rally in our Blue Flag magazine.
A friendly website to visit and I like the way you’ve categorised your work in many ways to find subjects of interest.
Thank you Chris for your thoughtful and very nice feedback. I am delighted that you will include my painting of the rally in the Blue Flag magazine.
My Best Regards,
Norma
Hey Norma en Tim, wish you a happy and healthy 2022!
The gouache is real precious to us in our livingroom, are enjoying it!
Hope to see you again, in Harlingen or another place on earth..
Warm greetings, Nico and Willemke
Happy New Year Nico and Will! So very nice to hear from you! I love that you enjoy your painting so much! Be safe and would love to see you anywhere and any time.
Hugs to you both! Norma and Tim