JUDGE: John Nichols
John’s passion for painting stretches back to his youth when an influential high school art instructor motivated him to keep plugging away. In the ‘70’s he studied art at Sacramento City College. Retirement from a career in the construction industry allowed more time to further develop his art while taking advantage of a variety of workshops and studies from many accomplished artists. “Art has always been a part of my life; retiring has allowed me time to focus on my art full time.”
When John is not creating still life, wildlife or portrait paintings in either oil or acrylic, he often paints land and seascape subjects. Painting en plein air allows him to enjoy nature and the outdoors while striving to capture the atmospheric perspective, composition, value, edges, color and that often-elusive light onto his canvas. “Many viewers say that my paintings portray peacefulness and tranquility. This confirms my attempt to communicate the mood of each scene I create.”
“For artists habitually drawn toward the outdoors, it’s no surprise that landscape painters in Sacramento Valley are creating a buzz for their interpretations of Northern California’s natural wonders. Especially when you consider the jaw-dropping beauty of the region, from the braided fields of the Capay Valley to the serene skyscapes of the Sierras. ‘I often paint the places I love to be,’ says John Nichols, who has been directing his eye more and more toward landscapes. ‘I strive to communicate with the viewer my interpretation of each venue, creating a sense of place.” (Excerpts from an article written by May-Lilly Lee, Executive Producer of “American Spark”, April 20, 2019, featuring John’s artworks.)
Besides creating art, John is actively involved in advancing the arts in his community through his memberships in a variety of art affiliations, including Sacramento Arts Center, Yolo Arts and West Sacramento Art Guild. You are invited to visit John’s website for more of his art at: www.JohnNicholsArtworks.com
