Today we’d like to introduce you to John Crum.
Hi John, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I graduated from The Ringling School of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida in 1973. I received my classical art training from nationally acclaimed instructors and extremely talented fellow artists in figurative, portraiture, landscape, and design. I have been fortunate to enjoy a life-long creative career in the arts.
Relocating from Bay Village, Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, (the North Coast), in 2000 to the beautiful and surreal Lowcountry, I can now concentrate on my painting and sharing those visions on canvas.
As an artist, I strive to develop paintings that speak about the world and the moments that affect our lives and the environment – personal moments that have made a fond memory or lasting imprint. A painting should evoke thought, awaken a memory, or spark an idea. My subject begins as an observation or in a moment, capturing that image and putting the message onto canvas is my most gratifying accomplishment.
“Your art makes me smile” is the most frequent compliment received about my paintings, a loving expression that encourages me to continue to push my limits and express my imagination. My gently surreal, narrative images, (pseudo-naive?) and the whimsy in my art is my attempt to capture special moments in life with a satirical twist.
I paint the images from my mind adding curiosity and fantasy in a dreamlike painterly quality.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I worked in steel mills in summers, long hours but the pay was good which allowed me to totally concentrate on my art during the school year.
Upon graduation, it was a while before landing my first real job in art, Before that, I would do as much freelance as I could get, enter street art fairs, volunteer murals, and draw caricatures at golf course outings!
Landing my first position as an illustrator in an advertising agency, I spent 10 years there honing my skills and making contacts. I then moved to the big city into an Art Director position in educational book design which allowed me the opportunity to meet and work with very talented artists throughout the country.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a child, I had a very active imagination and loved to draw. Being an artist has allowed me to continue this throughout my life. It is not easy but is very rewarding emotionally.
I love watching people and getting ideas for my paintings. My early illustration work was very whimsical and was with children’s educational books. The ability to create a simple drawing to communicate an idea or word carried over into my painting. My work is narrative, taking the viewer on a journey that they can enjoy and discover new meaning with each viewing.
Painting is as exciting for me now as ever, I am more comfortable with where my art is going. Creating my figurative pieces and expressing whimsical ideas while experimenting more with color, design, and techniques. When a piece is finished and works, often with many happy accidents along the way, is very gratifying.
My “gently surreal” landscapes with the elevated islands started in 2007 and are still as thrilling to create as the first.
As an artist, I strive to develop paintings that speak about the world and the moments that affect our lives and the environment – personal moments that have made a fond memory or lasting impression. A painting should evoke thought, awaken a memory, or spark an idea.
My subject begins as an observation or in a moment, capturing that image and putting the message onto canvas is my most gratifying accomplishment.
What makes you happy?
I just LOVE the feel and sight of paint rolling onto a canvas. Developing new ideas, and the process such as directing eye flow with brush strokes and color is exciting.
Getting the viewer to stop, take a look, and then smile is the greatest feeling and compliment. I am so grateful to be able to work in my studio every day.
Contact Info:
- Email: johncrumart@gmail.com
- Website: www.JohnCrumArt.com
- Instagram: @johncrumart
- Facebook: John K. Crum
Image Credits
John K. Crum and Kate Wichlinski
