John Gilluly

About the artist

Mr. Gilluly’s paintings have been featured in juried exhibitions across the country and are found in various private collections. His self-developed style is derived from the neo-impressionist technique of pointillism to create contemporary representational images on canvas. He chooses to work in the environmentally friendly medium of acrylic paint. However, if the client prefers, commissions can be completed in oils.

Artist’s Statement

I was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. While growing up in the Morgan Park neighborhood, I developed three interests which have influenced my life: sports teams that did not always win, the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, and the paintings of the Impressionists. Talk of the teams dominated the playgrounds, a home by Wright was a short bike ride away, and the Rock Island would take me downtown to the Art Institute.

I attended college and came of age in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After six years, five majors and no degree, I had discovered the three passions that would dominate my life: the awesome color green, true love and putting paint on canvas. Eau Claire seemed to offer a thousand shades of green in its hills, fields and forests, all tied together with rivers, lakes and sky. It was Paradise to this city kid. I experienced my first True Love with the girl-next-door. She, of course, moved away, and I experienced the inevitable heartbreak. A former housemate, who had been an art major, left some paints and canvases in the basement. I began to teach myself to put paint on the canvases. I thought I could heal my broken heart if I could create her image.

That was 1971. On St. Patrick’s Day 1972 I had the opening of my first one-artist show. As the years passed my life experiences improved as did my self-taught ability to put paint on canvas.

After thirty years of living in Texas I have recently relocated to Independence, Missouri, because it is in the middle of the country, and well, I just like the sound of the word. From here I invite you to share my passion and, whether it is my work or that of another, to bring fine art into your life.