In 1964 John and his wife Barbara emigrated to Australia. Continuing
his studies in Art he took up painting seriously in 1968, joining the
Mitcham Arts Society, where he was elected President for two years.
He resigned as a Tool Design Engineer in 1978 and established himself
as a professional teacher and Master Artist in Elsternwick, Victoria.
He has since held numerous succesful one man shows at various galleries
in Australia, including, Heritage House, Victoria, Jellat Gallery NSW,
Waterfall Gallery Victoria, Byrne House Gallery Moyhu Victoria, and Tuscany
Galleries, Healesville Victoria.
In
the early 1980's John met and became friends with some of the mountain
cattlemen of Victoria. John has since learned to ride a horse, been
to numerous annual musters and on packhorse trips. Consequently, he is
well-known for his paintings depicting droving and other aspects of the
Mountain Cattlemen's lifestyle, which led to the release of his publication
"HIGH PLAINS MUSTER" in 1987.
John also paints floral, still life subjects, and portraits.
Portraits have included, Charles Francis QC, Dorothy Baker, 1st woman President of the Victorian Arts Society,
Gus Mercurio, Actor, Personality and friend,
The late Max Casey, my Australian Art teacher &
friend, Bill, Frank, Greg, Ray & Catherine Montague, Tom Roberts
(Director of Kew Gallery), (Was commissioned by Vision Australia to paint the portraits of a number of past Presidents) Tom Marks, Sir Bruce
Small, David Robertson & W H Paterson. Although working mostly with
oils, he works well in all mediums, including watercolours and pastels.
In
late 1989 John and Barbara left Elsternwick, and purchased an historic
Tudor mansion named "Tudor Lodge" in Yellingbo, Victoria, where they
set up his studio and their long established "Waterfall Gallery" in
beautiful garden surroundings. Ten years on they have sold "Tudor Lodge"
and have recently built a new Home and Studio Gallery in Healesville, Victoria.
STUDIES:-
Diploma in Art, London Art College 1955, Still Life and Life
Drawing at the Belfast College of Technology 1958-59, and Tonal Painting
for a 12 month period with Max Casey (Australia).
ART
AWARDS TO DATE:- Winner of 297 Art Awards,
108 being Major Awards. Two majors being the Reece
Aust prize 1993 and Sunny Crust Bakery Award 1998 in the Herald Sun
Camberwell Rotary Art Show, the largest Art Show in Australia. Other
Major Awards have included the Bright Autumn Fesitival in 1999 for the
(eighth time), Wangaratta Art Show (eight times), Mordialloc Art Shows
(six times), Sherbrooke Art Society (six times), Mt Waverley Holy Family
(five times), Melba Art Show (four times), Monbulk Rotary (three times),Box
Hill Rotary (three times), Hamilton Rotary (three times), Mornington Rotary (three times),Cardinia Art Show (three times), Korumburra Rotary Art Show (three times), Victor Harbour Rotary S.A. (two
prizes 1986), Caltex Award NSW (twice), Sorrento Rotary (twice), Ivanhoe Art Show (twice), Warragul Rotary Art Show (twice), Portland Rotary Art
Show (twice), Alexandra Rotary, Benalla Rotary, St Kevins College, Corio
Rotary, Mount View Art Show, Derinya Art Show, plus many more.
REPRESENTED:-
Shepparton Regional Art Gallery, Bright Regional Collection
(eight paintings), Bulla Shire Council, Cardinia Shire Council, Victor
Harbour Council, Sherbrooke Shire Council (two paintings), Upper Yarra
Shire Council, Kingston Centre Victoria, Caltex Australia, National Bank,
Commonwealth Bank, RMIT., The Melba Centre (two paintings), Shire of Yarra
Valley, Reece Australia, and Mono Pumps Australia. John is also represented
in private collections within Australia, and also throughout the World,
including the Lord Vesty collection, England.
BIOGRAPHIES:-
Australian Artists Today, 2nd and 3rd editions with colour reproductions,
Artists and Galleries of Australia 1st and 2nd editions. In the American
Biographical Institute's "The International Directory of Distinguished
Leadership" 2nd edition, and selected for inclusion in that publication's
Hall of Fame section 1989. Nominated and selected for inclusion with
photograph in "International Register of Profiles" Tenth edition published
by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England in 1990.
In 1995, in the 50 Australian Artists Volume 1, with colour repro and
also the publication "High Plains Muster" with 48 colour repros in 1987.
OTHER
ACHIEVEMENTS:- 1978 painting reproduced for the commercial print
trade and the greetings card trade. 1984, painting reproduced on the
cover of Australian Artists Today 3rd Edition. 1989, painting reproduced
on the cover of the 057 telephone directory. 1990, painting reproduced
on the cover of R.M.Williams catalogue, available all over Australia, and
London, England. 1980-1991 a council member with the AUSTRALIAN GUILD
OF REALIST ARTISTS, and a past Vice President. He is also a past council
member with the National Gallery Society of Victoria, a past exhibiting
Signatory member of the Victorian Artists Society, and also an exhibiting
member of the Sherbrooke Artists Society Incorporated & The Australian
Guild of Realist Artists Ltd.
Upon
request, John has been the judge of over 80 Major Art Exhibitions within
the State of Victoria.
