Plein Air painting has been the main source of inspiration for all his artwork. Whether the subject matter has been in the streets or in the countryside, he is always seeking the atmosphere of the location. Whether he paints in North America or Europe, or closer to home, he always seeks to leave the viewer with a sense of place. Witnessing nature first hand, and working right there, gives him a certain freedom to paint without any pre-conceived notions. In this way he is not bound by the formulas that can easily creep into one’s work.
John is drawn to capturing a particular light or atmosphere. An overcast or sunny day, the changing light effects, the the sound of the ocean spray against rock or the quiet waters of a lake or river, keep him motivated. In his own way, John hopes to continue the tradition of making the viewer look again at what might be an ordinary scene, transformed through light and atmosphere.
John's work is in collections in North America and Europe, including the following:
Larry O’Brien, former Mayor Ottawa 2010
Joel Haslam, Producer ‘Regional Contact’, CTV Ottawa
Paul Celucci, former US Ambassador to Canada
Rideau Downtown Development, Ottawa
Reproduction Prints of paintings for Fairmount “Chateau Laurier” Hotel, Ottawa.
Dr. Pierre, Juery, Ottawa
Private Collections in USA, Canada, Germany and UK
Springfield Art Museum, Missouri, (Paintings permanent collection)
Elected Membership
- Elected member Society of Canadian Artists (SCA)
- Elected member of the Society of Ontario Artists (OSA)
Television
Set of “ Butch Patterson, Private Dick” The Comedy Channel ( paintings )
“Breakfast at the New RO”, Rothwell Gallery feature on gallery artists
Set of “H20 ” Paul Gross production, CBC ( paintings)
“A Channel” Morning Show, Ottawa
“Regional Contact”, CTV, Ottawa
CBC TV “Canada AM” National Morning Show
CTV CJOH Evening News
Donations
Pierre Belvedere Cards, Montreal “Canadian Artists Collection”
(Cards available across various chain stores in Canada)
Portage Mutual, Winnipeg, Calendars
Causeway Foundation, ( charity) Christmas Cards
“Friends of Gatineau Park”, National Capital region. (Painting )donation.
Friends of AY. Jackson Memorial Park, Manotick, Ontario, charity auction (painting)
National Arts Centre, Ottawa, charity auction (painting)
Opera Lyra, Ottawa (painting)
MISSA, Summer School, BC painting donation for fundraiser
Awards
‘1st Place’ for Plein Air for :
‘1st. Great Canadian Paint-Out,’ Ottawa 2011
‘2nd place’ for Plein Air event:
Rideau Downtown Development, Ottawa, 2010
Selected Exhibitions
OSA Continuum Show, Arts & Letters Club, Toronto (juried)
Ottawa School Art, Instructors show, Ottawa, (juried) 2012
Tay River Gallery, Ottawa, (solo show) 2012
OSA 140th Anniversary Exhibition,Toronto (juried) 2012
OSA New Members Show John B.Aird Gallery Toronto 2012
Tay River Gallery various group shows
Instructors Show, Ottawa School Art Shenkman Art Centre
OSA Show Papermill Gallery Toronto
McMichael Art Show & Sale Kleinburg, Ont.
Galerie Old Chelsea, Quebec, (solo show)
Arts & Letters Club Toronto (juried group shows)
National Capital Fine Arts Festival,
1998,1999,2000,2001,2003,2004,2005, 2007
Elmwood Art Festival, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003
Merrickville Art Festival, 2002, 2003
Judith Moore Gallery, Merrickville
Dandelion Tour, Westport, Ontario, ( guest artist )
Selected Exhibitions 2009-1995
Shenkman Arts Centre, Orleans (group show)
The Lodge, Amherst Island, Ontario
Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery, Toronto
Rothwell Gallery ( solo shows 03,04,05,06,07,08 )
Rothwell Gallery (gallery artists group show)
Tay River Gallery (gallery artists group shows)
Epoque Gallery ( solo shows )
Moth Gallery ( solo shows)
Tay River Gallery, Perth, Ont. ( solo shows )
VACO Gallery, Orleans, Ont. ( group show)
Galerie, Epoque, Aylmer, Que. ( solo show)
Walkerworks Picture Framing, Perth, Ontario (four artist show)
Pegasus Gallery, Saltspring Island, B.C.
Art Rental and Sales, Winnipeg Art Gallery ( juried)
Artguise Gallery, Ottawa Ont. ( solo show )
Ottawa Civic Hospital, Showcase Gallery