The Abstract Art of John L. Payne: Now Showing.....

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Now Showing.....

Less than a year from quitting my job to become a full time professional artist, I have been accepted into FRESH Gallery in downtown Springfield, Missouri! In addition (yes, there's more!) I am also currently showing at HeBrews Coffee and have a show set for June at Randy Bacon's gallery which is a premier venue here in Springfield. These are exciting times and I hope that I am able to "spring forward" so to speak from the momentum of these events. While I can certainly see my work evolving and my skills increasing I have not discovered my exact niche yet. I believe this is because of the years of repressed art that are still pouring out of me! I see my work as surreal, POP-ish and as pure abstract expressionism at times. Maybe I won't develope a niche and that will be what sets me apart from the rest. Time will tell... Stay tuned and watch for posts of new art!

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Artist Bio

Born in Oklahoma, John Payne began drawing and painting at the age of six. Though educated and involved in the arts well into college, his life and career path drastically changed when he enlisted into the United States Nuclear Navy at the age of 21. As a submariner, chemist and nuclear plant operator, safety became an integral part of his daily life. After leaving the Navy he followed a similar path working in radiation/chemical safety and ultimately as an Environmental Health and Safety Manager for over 20 years before returning full time to his passion as an artist. John is motivated by the works of the mid-century expressionists and current abstract artists alike. While some of John's work is pure expressionism, many of his pieces are more ordered in their chaos. This effort to control the abstraction with a sense of “boundaries” is reminiscent, states the artist, of the efforts we all make to live passionately while still attempting to conform to moral and social responsibilities. John’s work is thought provoking and often littered with social and philosophical commentary. As a Navy veteran John has traveled across the USA and to other countries as well, experiencing sights and cultures which have served as inspiration to his work. After 20+ years of working in the corporate world with art as his hobby, John has recently abandoned “the grind” to pursue his work as an artist in earnest. He offers that the decision was not only overdue but "very liberating". John lives in Springfield, Missouri with his wife Pattie and two dogs.