A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OIL PAINTER AND LANDSCAPE ARTIST, JOHN FRENCH
ART OF THE LANDSCAPE
Painting a favorite scene is like visiting and exploring the place all over again, and using my brushes and colors to tell you what I see.
THE BIOGRAPHY OF ARTIST JOHN FRENCH
Can folks tell where an artist has been by looking at his work? A viewing of Michigan artist John French’s oil paintings reveals a great deal about the artist’s passions; getting out and about, and painting the places he goes.
John French’s use of bold color and strong composition convey the intense beauty the artist sees in the world around him. His paintings invite the viewer to ponder a more peaceful and quiet part of the world, away from the bustle and worry of everyday life.
An Artist is Formed
John was born in the 1970 in Santa Fe, NM. He received inspiration at an early age. “My aunt was an artist,” French recalls. “When I was about three years old, I watched as she drew a picture of me. I was amazed, and hooked! I started drawing, and drawing, and never really stopped. I’ve been spending my life trying to do what she did.”
When John was a little boy, his parents divorced. His mother remarried a United States Air Force serviceman, who adopted him. The Air Force sent the family to Italy, where John spent his formative years surrounded by the art and architecture of the Renaissance.
After four years in Italy, the family was transferred to KI Sawyer AFB, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Though beautiful, the frozen north was very different than John’s beloved New Mexico. “Even after thirty-plus years of living here, I’ve never gotten used to the cold.”
Art of John French
John’s art is shown locally at The Gallery Marquette, and Wintergreen Hill Gallery, both in Marquette; and the Gallery on Fifth in Calumet. His work is also shown at Hanni Gallery in Harbor Springs, MI, and Pointe of View Gallery on Mackinac Island
He occasionally participates in group shows in Michigan and New Mexico, and shows at local art fairs.
John still lives in Michigan with his wife and four dogs, just minutes away from Lake Superior. Paintings of thick woods and the Great Lakes are born from exploring the region.
John loves to go on road trips near and far, and he brings home the inspiration, memories, and photos needed to paint the vast, awe-inspiring landscapes from around the country. Along with many scenes from Michigan, one can find paintings of New Mexico, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin landscapes in his portfolio.
