Artist Statement

For my still life work, I love observing the subtle shifts, shadows and colors of light while contemplating even the most ordinary and humble of objects--- a tin pan, a crumpled piece of paper, a bruised pear, a bag of cereal. The human form and face are, of course, endlessly fascinating subjects on which I love to concentrate when time and finances permit. I consider most of what I do to be studies, and, as form, revealed by light, is the most interesting thing of all for me to study, I always work from life. That's not to say, however, that I don't have interest in the use of photography and collage. I do. I’ve done it. It has a very important role in image making, in art, but for me, not necessarily in painting per se. There is something very special, very humanizing, about translating a three dimensional experience onto a flat surface directly, without its first being transcribed by a photograph-- something that by its doing reveals the artist’s choices, his/her soul, more fully. But, again, I don't believe in being dogmatic. Art takes many valid forms. I "allow" the artist greater flux and permeability of form, content and means to meet his or her goal; the only “requirement” I put on art is that its making and intent be bound to an honest search for truth--- whether it reveals a spiritual, ironic, satiric, political or humorous bent, or is purely about color, form and light. I will not choose, for example, between Titian, Velasquez, Michelangelo or Bronzino and Kline, Pollock, Freud and Warhol. For me, they all start at the same place, the human heart and mind, in creativity, in the search by the lone, sentient, independently thoughtful human being as a means to explore his/her relation to life and all the give and take that that entails. There is humility, joy and struggle in bringing one’s artistic ability before nature and life---in attempting to make sense of it, or in adding to its confusion---in eventually and finally surrendering to being able to show for the creative effort only the human wrestling that took place, the blood and sweat, the tears and humor, the soul. All I have come to know during the process of “making art” is how little I know of anything. In trying to understand, I find I exist only in the scribble of the creative attempt, be it as a writer, painter or photographer.

Bio

Born in 1963, John's interest in art started at a young age with an innate curiosity cultivated by the many forms of art to which his parents introduced him and his siblings--from painting and literature, to classic movies and music of various genres, and through trips to art and natural history museums, Broadway shows and operas. There were as well always plenty of art books and supplies in the house for inspiration and use. His father was a Land Surveyor and self taught artist and craftsman who could also play a tune by ear from a piano or guitar. His mother's love of reading and music informed the family's sense of culture. His sister, Nancy, one of four, is a very gifted painter; Carol is a creative baker and Jeanne and Linda used and use a great amount of creativity to educate their students. In spite of economic realities, his parents and siblings have always encouraged him to pursue his own creative interests. His undergraduate work was started at SUNY Purchase, and resulted in a BFA from FIT where a semester in Florence, Italy, provided a lifetime of inspiration. He received his MFA from the New York Academy of Art in NYC in 1991 where he was a Grande Foundation and Andy Warhol Scholarship recipient. His work has been shown in various galleries and is in private collections.

Exhibitions

2013-2014 : Barnes Gallery, Garden City, NY
2013: Adams’ Estate, Garden City, NY
2004-2005: Puccio Gallery, New York City, NY
2003: Noel Fine Art Gallery, Bronxville, NY
2002: Crosby Street Studio, NYC, Portrait Exhibition
2002: Mark Humphrey Gallery, Southhampton, NY
2002: New York Academy of Art “Convergence”
1998: Art Students’ Showcase Gallery, NYC
1997: New York Academy of Art: Alumni Show
1989: Peter Roberts Antiques, Spring Street, NYC