A native South Carolinian, my works include large collages, mixed media canvases, serigraphs and pieces on paper. My canvases depict a celebration of life using themes of music, heritage, gardening and exploration. Over the years I’ve painted the music of the world, Kente cloth and African masks – all a reflection of my love of music, my Southern heritage and African American heritage. I’ve returned to these themes over time, adding new themes such as my recent paintings of flowers from my garden which combine my love of painting, gardening and the outdoors.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an interest in creating. As a very young child I would sit in front of the neighbor’s house, digging up clay to mold into objects. Even before I started to attend school, I was drawing objects found in our home. My art draws on life, loss and the need to capture some of what this journey gives me. I celebrate life with my art and share that with others.
With a BS degree in Mathematics as a base, I continued my art education studying with Leo Twiggs at South Carolina State University, New York City Arts Student’s League and the Greenville County Museum School of Art with Carl Blair.
My work has been accepted in national shows winning best graphics in Spring Mills Art Shows and first place in the Southeast Black Art Competition, North Carolina. Works are included in the collections of Spartanburg Arts Council, Pickens County Museum of Art, South Carolina State University, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Fluor Corporation, Piedmont Orthopedic Associates, and many private collections across the United States.
John is represented by Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina
