John has been using the medium of “Pen & Ink” in his artwork since 1963. His “Style” has emerged as much through trial and error as through his study of the masters. Always trying to incorporate different media, John now works with a blending of colored inks and watercolor pencil with his traditional black ink renderings. His attention to detail is reminiscent of the Dutch masters.
While serving his country in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, John documented all he witnessed with quick pencil sketches. Later to turn them into artwork and into dioramas.
Two of the dioramas featured in his website have been on display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Uniondale, N.Y. The Museum of Air Power located at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, N.Y. hosts two of John's creations; one diorama titled “Christmas at the Firebase” depicts what it was like during the Vietnam War at Christmas 1968, the other titled "Over the Top" the Battle of Amiens, August 1918 depicts the history making first use of both Tanks and Airpower in direct support of Infantry against an enemy resulting in Germany's surrender three months later. John’s diorama, titled “Car Coming” depicting the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races press box/VIP box and grandstand area and a second diorama, titled “Over & Under”, depicting the actual 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race being held on the first paved roadway in the Unites States - “The Long Island Motor Parkway” is currently on loan to the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, N.Y. Visit the Nassau County Fire Fighters Museum on Museum Row in Uniondale, N.Y. and you will see three more diorama creations. The first two depict two actual fire scenes taken from fire department photos, one being an urban “High Rise” fire and the other being an rural “House Fire”, both are fully animated. The third and most spectacular is the 6 foot X 10 foot depiction of the actual 220 acre Nassau County Fire Fighters Academy which is located in Old Bethpage, N.Y. It’s truly something to behold and a must see at the museum.
Johns ventures into the corporate art world include “Project Logo” drawings and “Aids Walk” t-shirt designs for The Impact Group, New York City, a Madison Avenue medical and pharmaceutical information company, as well as projects for the Jericho Public Library and personalized renderings of newly constructed Fire Houses for the Merrick Fire Department.
John and his wife, Dorothy, live in Oakdale, Long Island, NY. Together, they enjoy bicycle riding, theater, vacationing in Florida and dancing. John's other passions are gourmet cooking, HO scale model railroading, and the grandkids.