John R. Thurston

Influences:

John grew up in an environment filled with art and artists. His father, brother and grandfather were all artists/designers. He developed an appreciation for the work of the abstract expressionists from the 1950s and 1960s such as Johns, Rauschenberg and Motherwell. Other major influences were the works from the European avant-garde art movements of the early 20th century.

Education and Professional Experience:

John graduated high school in 1982 from Interlochen Art Academy in Michigan where he studied painting, drawing, photography and sculpture. He then went on to earn a BFA in Visual Communications/Illustration from the Maryland Institute, College of Art. In 1986 he returned to NJ and began his career as a graphic designer and art director, working in design studios as well as corporate art departments. He has created graphic design for Fortune 500 companies such as Sony, ITT, AT&T, Exxon, General Dynamics, Prudential, and Merck. He has also designed for corporations in the food and toy industries such as Gund, Crayola (Binney & Smith), and M&M/Mars (Masterfoods).

The Work:

As a young artist, John's first love was drawing and photography. Upon entering college his interest shifted toward abstract painting. His early work explored painting abstractly on three-dimensional surfaces utilizing a varied and rich color palette. His current work delves into diversified subject matter and its related emotional content. He enjoys experimenting with the painted surface, combining different materials and mediums. The expressive nature of his brush strokes and color choices speak to the soul. John primarily paints abstracts but he also enjoys creating paintings that have representational subject matter from time to time. Experimentation has always been an important element in his work. His paintings are created using a variety of mediums such as acrylics, oils and pastels.

Solo Shows:

4th Street Art and Antiques, Easton, PA

Group Exhibitions:

Ellarslie Open - 20th, The Museum of the City of Trenton, Trenton, NJ
Emerging Artists Exhibit, Whetherholt Gallery, Washington, DC
Spiritual Visions Exhibit, St. Joseph's Church, Newark, NJ
Painting Exhibit, Fox Gallery, MICA, Baltimore MD
Illustration Exhibit, Main Building Gallery, MICA, Baltimore MD
Photography Exhibit, Student Gallery, MICA, Baltimore MD
Senior Juried Exhibit, Interlochen Art Academy
Photography Exhibit, Detroit Symphony Hall, Detroit Michigan
Painting Donation, Newton Rotary, Newton, NJ
Sussex County Fair - Art Exhibit, Augusta, NJ

Awards:

ADCNJ Third Place Trophy, corporate promotional piece (Graphics)
ADCNJ First Place Trophy, corporate promotional piece (Graphics)
Award of Excellence, Sony Corporation, Japan (Graphics)
Achievement Award in Photography, Interlochen Art Academy (Fine art)
First Place, NJ Scholastic Arts Competition (Fine art)