John was born in Perth, Western Australia and studied art in the Applecross High School Special Art Program which instilled in him an appreciation of art and art history. John maintained this strong interest through his work as a graphic design / layout artist in the 1980s. From 1990 to 1992 he studied graphic art and design at Central Metropolitan College of TAFE and then successfully freelanced as a graphic artist.
In 2002 John took up painting full time to build a body of work with the intent of exhibiting and selling his paintings. He has been a member of the Artists Foundation of Western Australia and ArtSource since 2003. John finds travel, touring exhibitions and visiting galleries, both within Australia and overseas, to be particularly inspiring, bringing freshness to his work each year
Style & Influences
John paints the shared and personal experiences of life using his preferred medium of acrylic on canvas. He employs an uncomplicated style, abstracting natural appearances to create dynamic works using strong colours and lively patterning to define light, shape and motion. His subject matter is often figures in landscapes and the study of the human condition, depicted with humour and compassion.
John’s major influences are drawn from Modernism—particularly Gauguin and the Fauves. His work also reflects an appreciation of Pop artists of the 1950s and 60s. Inspirations are often drawn from the environment and his perceptions of it.