About the Artist
Nature...My Teacher
Most subjects I paint are everyday places that, with the right light, become magical. The intimacy which develops between artist and nature can not expressed any other way but to become an instrument of her. This relationship between artist and nature is like any other relationship. It takes time nurture. The artist observes, spends time getting to know nature and eventually become an instrument of nature; representing the beauty, the light and its effects interpreted through the artist's eye. Nature has been and is my teacher.
All that I have learned is from mother nature, I learned to listen to what she has to say, she does speak you just need to learn how to hear her. Nature has her stormy side but what I learned to love is her gentleness.
John is a Signature Member of The California Art Club, Laguna Plein air Association, Oil Painters of America, Past President of The Plein Air Painters of America.
Selected Bibliography
Working At A Higher Level, Steve DohertyPlein Air Magazine 2017
Magical Mystical Water Art Of The West 2014 January/February Issue
Chasing The Light Vicky Staving Art Of The West July/August 2011
Disappearing Beauty American Art Collector
The Secret of Success Never Settle, Steve Doherty American Artist Magazine 2005
The Speed of Light The Artist Magazin
An Instrument Of Nature Myrna Zanetel Art Of The West
Selected Books
Art Of The National Park Jean Stern, Susan Hallster McGarry and Terry Lawson Dunn Fresco Fine Art Publications
Land Of Sunlight Contemporary Paintings of San Diego County , James Lightter
Joan Irvine Smith A Woman Story The Irvine Museum
Painting The Impressionistic Landscape, Lois Griffel
Enchanted Isle A History Of Plein Air Painting In Santa Catalina Island The Society For The Advancement of Plein Air Painting
200 Great painting Ideas ForArtists Carole Katchen North Light Books
Selected Exhibitions
2012-2024 Masters Of The American West
1994-2025 California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibitio
2016 Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Plein Air Painters of America and 100 Years of the National Park Steamboat Springs Art Museum Steamboat Springs Colorado Summer Idll Picturesque Views of California Irvine Museum Irvine California
American Legacy Our National Parks Plein Air Painters Of America Haggin Museum Stockton California. Exhibition traveled for 4 years to museums across the United State
Looking East Cape Cod Museum Cape Cod Massachusetts
European Tradition American Vision Academy Art Museum Easton, Maryland
Selected Awards
2025 First Place Less Is More Laguna Plein Air Painters Association Laguna Beach California
2024 First Place California Desert Plein Air Festival VIP Artist Division Palm Desert California
2016 Ted Goershner Memorial Award Oil Painters Of America National Exhibition
2018. Best Body of Work Randy Higbee Gallery Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational 20 Year Reunion Laguna Beach CAlifornia
2018 Founders Award Big Horn Rendezvous Brinton Museum Big Horn Wyoming
2015 Best of show San Dimas 39th Annual Exhibitio San Dimas California
2013 Ted Goershner Memorial Award Oil Painters Of America National Exhibit Fredericksburg TexaArtist
2003. Choice San Juan Capistrano, California Art Club
