John’s artistic output covers a variety of genres but his primary focus is on portraiture. His preferred medium is acrylic and he works primarily from life although he uses photographs when direct observation is not possible. He works rapidly aiming to create a strong, gestural image that helps to give the portrait strength and vitality. John usually focusses on the sitter more than the surroundings. He has broad tastes in portraiture and is not influenced by any one artist in particular. He avoids employing a photorealistic approach as he feels that this, in his hands, can reduce the vitality of the image.
In addition to working with acrylic, John also enjoys working in a number of other media such as charcoal and graphite. He also engages in printmaking, employing a variety of printing techniques.
John has had solo exhibitions at the Helmsley Art Centre; the University of Birmingham and the RBSA Gallery, as well as exhibiting in group shows at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, the RBSA, Birmingham Art Circle, the Ikon Gallery, the Walsall New Art Gallery and the Midlands Art Centre. Portrait commissions have included the Vice Chancellor of Malmo University; Sampson Gamgee (the founder of the Birmingham Medical Institute); two Directors of the Birmingham School of Dentistry and the Secretary of the University of Birmingham; together with a number of private commissions.
