ABOUT THE ARTIST

Born in Melbourne in 1956. A self-taught artist currently working in ink, oils and oil pastel. Held his first one-man exhibition at Leveson Street Gallery in 1976, with regular solo and group shows thereafter.

A study/paintjng tour of the UK, France and Spain in 1988 consolidated a love for on-site painting, with further trips in 1990, '96, 2000/01/02/03/04, a Montmarte stay being a recent highlight.

Interests draw injtially from the landscape through to the jazz and urban scenes have produced varied subject matter with colour and energy of line a natural response.

All the small works are produced in situ, the colours mixed on the paper direct, and pushed with fingertips or tissue - pipette, pen and even fingernail adding line or cutting back. The larger pieces are studio based from original sketches, often with a favourite piece of vinyl for company.

The inspiration for most of the work comes from a particularly personal interaction of place and company.

Currently, John js President of the Victorian Artists Society, East Melbourne.