About
BRIEF HISTORY:
John was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. His interest in media started at an early age with an introduction to television. The fantastic stories and exotic locales help foster is imagination. In hindsight, it was this early fascination with television, and the fantasy created by it that would inspire my desire to become an artist.
Working in different media, John strives to present images and surfaces to the viewer that encourage visual interaction, reminiscent of membranes or places of interface.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I approach my work in the manner of a DJ. I collect source material from Television, Comic books and my favorite men’s magazines like a DJ would search the records in a discount music store. I am always looking for the perfect addition to my collection. We are both searching for beats that resonate. Mine are visual. I seek images with cultural currency, which may have already been circulated in the visual memory of our culture. I use these samples in place of a blank canvas on which I begin my compositions.
My work is open. I do not claim to judge my source material, nor do I seek to be vulgar or somehow clever. I simply want to create visual rhythms that encourage the viewer to see the same strange beauty in our media landscape that I do.
CURRICULUM VITAE:
Exhibitions (*solo exhibition)
- 2008
- “Home is Where the ___ is: An Invitational Exhibit” Location forthcoming.
- 2007
- “Communication and the Art of Deception,” Clemson University
- 2006
- “New Works,” Nova Art Center, Chicago, IL
- “CHAOS Exhibition,” Long Beach Arts, Juried, Long Beach, CA
- “Caged - Artist’s in Their Habitat,” Invitational, Brick Gallery, Kenosha, WI
- * “Red Rocket Presents” Red Rocket Gallery, Online Exhibition
- 2005
- “New Work,” Cornerstone Gallery, Blue Island, IL
- “Postcards from the Edge,” Benefit Exhibition, Robert Miller Gallery, New York, NY
- * “Surface Tension” MFA Exhibition, Ohio University Gallery, Ohio University, Athens, OH
- 2004
- “Right Brain Left Brain: Text in Art,” Invitational, Lemon Street Gallery, Kenosha, WI
- “Viridian Artist’s 15th Annual Juried Exhibition” Viridian Artist’s @ Chelsea, Juried, New York, NY
- “Cul de Sac” Traveling Exhibition, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
- “Volume Two” Ohio University Gallery, Ohio University, Athens, OH
- 2003
- “Big Ass Drawing Show,” Ridges Gallery Space, Athens, OH
- “Committed” Ridges Gallery Space, Athens, OH
- “Graduate Group Show,” Casa Cantina, Athens, OH
- 2002
- “On Paper”, Traveling Exhibition,
- Chengdu Contemporary Art Museum, Chengdu, China,
- Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts; Shinghia University.
- College of Art Shanghai University
- “Annual Student Exhibition,” Lowe Art Museum, Juried, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
- “Exquisite Voodoo,” Bradley University, Peoria, IL
- “UM Print Exchanges 1997-2001” University of Western Australia, Crawlrey WA, Australia
- 2001
- “Incoming MFA Show,” New Gallery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
- “Tarot Print Exhibition,” Traveling Exhibition,
- Tate Center Gallery, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Carrol Gallery, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
- Hartmann Center Gallery, Bradley University, Peoria, IL
- 2000
- * “Who Am I?” BFA Exhibition, Hartmann Center Gallery, Bradley University, Peoria, IL
- “Studio Flavor,” Phoenix Studios, Peoria, IL
Education
- 2005 MFA Printmaking, Ohio University, Athens OH
- 2002 Graduate Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL
- 2000 BFA Printmaking, Bradley University, Peoria IL
Areas of Specialization
- Drawing
- 2D Design
- Etching
- Lithography
- Relief
- Digital Art
Educational Experience
- 2003 - 2005
- Graduate Teaching Associateship, (instructor of record) Ohio University, Athens OH
- Art 247 – Etching.
- Art 117 – Drawing - Systems and Color.
- Art 116 - Descriptive Drawing.
- Graduate Assistant, Ohio University, Athens OH
- Art on Computers.
- Lithography.
- Seeing and Knowing in Visual Arts.
- Etching.
- 2002
- Graduate Teaching Associateship, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
- Introduction to Perceptual Drawing.
Professional Experience
- 2007
- Visiting Artist, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha WI
- Gave an metal engraving demo to intro and advance printmaking students. Techniques covered included: engraving, counter proofing and reductive aquatint.
- 2006
- Production Assistant, Purple Monkey Studios, Inc., Oak Park IL
- Worked within Production Department for interactive media company. Responsibilities include on-site HTML production; building out of Flash animation projects and testing of software.
- 2001 - 2006
- Freelance Designer, Chicago IL
- Worked with clients including: Sony Ericsson, Quadtra Group LLP, JA Consulting Corp, Tech Assessments LTD, MC+A, and Bradley University. Projects included corporate brand identity, web site development, graphical user interface design, and web coding.
- Printer, Athens, OH
- Worked closely with artist David Hostetler to produce several print editions for sale in artist’s gallery. Edition printed included woodcuts and monotypes.
- 2003- 2005
- Assistant Printer, Cascade Press, Athens, OH
- Assisted Art Werger, Director of Foundations, School of Art, Ohio University, in proofing of color etching as well editioning of black and white etchings and mezzotints.
- 2003-2004
- Printer, Trisolini Print Project, Ohio University, Athens, OH
- Directed the printing of several large edition prints for visiting artists including: a reduction color woodcut for Nancy Palmeri, a color mezzotint/etching for Sean Caulfield and a color etching for Akiko Taniguchi.
- 2003-2004
- Printer, Ohio University, Athens, OH
- Worked directly with Robert Lazuka, Director, School of Art, and Ohio University in execution of large edition color lithograph. Was sole printer for this project.
- 2002 - 2003
- Summer Intern, McCracken and Frank, LLP
- Worked with firm lawyers to create design and technical patent drawings for application for U.S. and International patents. Launched firm’s first website. Assisted IT manager with upgrades and maintenance of computers and printers.
- 2000
- Assistant Printer, Cradle Oak Press, Bradley University, Peoria, IL
- Assisted Oscar Gillespie in printing several print projects in various media for visiting artists, including: Robert Glasgow and Robert Natkin.
- 1996 - 2001
- Graphic Designer, Infogenic Systems, Peoria IL
- Created multimedia presentations wide range of clients. Worked with development teams to design user interfaces for client software. Responsible for all graphic content within Computer Based Training (CBT) software developed for clients. Helped establish corporate multimedia department. Designed corporate branding.
Computer Proficiency
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Acrobat
- Macromedia Flash
- Macromedia Dreamweaver
- Microsoft Office
- HTML
- CSS
- Mac OS X
- Windows XP
Professional Services
- 2004
- Visiting Artist, Rio Grande University, Rio Grande, OH
- Demonstrated and lectured on the intaglio process of engraving to and beginning and intermediate printmaking class. Lecture included process and printing demonstrations.
Portfolios
- 2007
- Communication and the Art of Deception
- 2002 -2005
- Ohio University Printmaking Annual Portfolio
- 2004
- “Selective Spuds: Homage to Starch” - Curator
- 2002
- “On Paper” Ohio University, Athens OH
- “Exquisite Voodoo” Bradley University, Peoria IL
- “UM Print Exchanges 1997-2002” University of Miami, Coral Gables FL
- 2001
- “Tarot Print Exchange” University of Georgia, Athens GA
Collections
- Dean of Arts & Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
- Amity Art Foundation, Woodbridge, CT
- Chengdu Contemporary Art Museum, Chengdu, China,
- Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts; Shinghia University, Shinghia, China
- College of Art Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- Ohio University, Athens, OH
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
- Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- University of Georgia at Athens, Athens, GA
- University of Western Australia, Crawlrey WA, Australia
- Bradley University, Peoria, IL
Awards
- 2002
- Print Award - Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
- Dean of Arts & Science Purchase Award - University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
- Thompson Photo Award, Lowe Art Museum - University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Grants / Scholarships
- 2001 – 2005
- Ohio University Teaching Fellowship, Ohio University, Athens, OH
- 2002 – 2004
- Ohio University Graduate Travel Grant, Ohio University, Athens, OH
- 2001
- University of Miami Teaching Fellowship, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
