About

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OIL PAINTER AND LANDSCAPE ARTIST, JOHN FRENCH

 

In 2019, John French painting “The View” won Best in Show at the Lake Superior Art Association Members’ Show!
 
In December of 2017, John French painting “Holy Hill” was juried into the Cedarburg Art Museum’s “Iconic Wisconsin” exhibit.
 
Since the summer of 2017, John has participated in and helped organize the “Let’s Paint New Mexico” blog, a digital group show of artists painting New Mexico scenery. 
 
In 2013, 2016 and 2017, John was juried into the Lake Superior Art Association’s Members’ show. He was awarded the Duane DeLoach First Time Exhibitor Award in 2013.
John was juried into the prestigious Art on the Rocks Fine Art Fair, in Marquette, MI.
 John’s art was accepted into the Manzano Mountain Art Council “Years of Enchantment” group show in Mountainair, New Mexico.
Two John French paintings were juried into the Taos Art Museum’s August Night Gala exhibit and auction, resulting in one sale to a New Mexico collector.
Many of John’s New Mexico paintings were accepted into the Manzano Mountain Art Council “Celebrating New Mexico” group show in Mountainair, New Mexico. His art was honored with Best in Show.
In November of 2015, 2016, and 2017, he was accepted to show and sell at the Marquette Arts and Culture Center Holiday Art Show.
Six original John French paintings were purchased for the permanent collection of the St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, MI.
John showed and sold his work at The Outback Art Fair in Marquette, MI.

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 in Michigan at The Gallery Marquette, and Wintergreen Hill Gallery, both in Marquette; and the Gallery on Fifth in Calumet.

 He frequently participates in group shows in Michigan and New Mexico, and occasionally sells 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. One can find paintings of New Mexico, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin in his portfolio.