John Harris
Biography
Since the early 90's I have been painting the rivers, ocean and landscapes of New England. Most of these locations are well known to me. I have been visiting them since my early childhood.
My landscapes are painted on location using a traditional paint box. The paintings are allowed to dry in my studio. I repaint the image later using memory, adding and subtracting shapes, color and detail. T he River and Ocean paintings are based on life studies, photographs and memory.
I see abstraction in the landscape, a flat composition from a three dimensional perspective. Colors, shapes, values and light interwoven and constantly changing. Nature does not stand still, shadows change direction, the skies cloud over, animals appear and disappear, the deafening sound of Whitewater and the smell of balsam. The painting is a time lapse image, not a snap-shot from a split second.
The subjects that attract me can vary from a dense Maine forest to the cascading rivers of Vermont, an ocean-scape from Monhegan Island, Maine or a simple scene in my backyard. Drawing is the first stage in my painting. This is done initially with an oil wash and then worked into a more defined drawing later. I consider the drawing the most important stage of my painting, it is the foundation for everything to come. The build-up of paint and glazing create atmospheric characteristics. Details are applied when its near completion.
I enjoy the way paint describes surface and form, how it is applied, thick or transparent strokes create depth, lights and darks create form and the interaction of warm and cool colors give the painting vitality.
Education
1987 University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Fine Arts - Master of Fine Arts: focus on painting and printmaking
1983 Western Connecticut State University - Bachelor of Arts: focus on commercial and fine art
Gallery Affiliations
Anthony Kirk Editions, NY
Silvermine Guild Art Center - New Canaan, CT
Center for Contemporary Printmaking - Norwalk, CT
Select Recent Exhibitions
About Printmaking - February 2024, Washington Art Association - Curator Anthony Kirk
Days to Remember- Jan 2021, Center for Contemporary Printmaking - Honorable Mention - Juror Cybele Maylone - Aldrich Museum
Under the Influence - December 2019, Center for Contemporary Printmaking - Honorable Mention - Juror: Jacob Lewis - Pace Prints
2-1-2 - Ridgefield Guild of Artists - five artist group show - Juror: Judith T Chompa
Wet - September 1 through November 5, 2017 Strathmore Hall Foundation Curated by Harriet Lesser
Two Directions - October 2014 Kehler Liddell Gallery, New Haven CT
Blue Matters - January 2013 Kehler Liddell Gallery, New Haven CT
Water Water Everywhere - September 2012 Flinn Gallery, Greenwich CT
Silvermine Guild Arts Center - 2011 New members show, New Canaan CT
John Harris, Keith Johnson Recent Work - October 2010 Kehler Liddell Gallery, New Haven CT
Smoke and Shadows - October 2010 Walker Fine Art, Denver CO
Fresh Pics - Contemporary Art in Connecticut - January 2010 Ridgefield guild of Artists
Faraway Nearby - June 2009 Greater Reston Arts Center Dale Lazone - President International Art Marlborough
The Paradox of Water - 2008 Westport Arts Center Juror: Mary Sabatino, Galerie Lelong, NYC
Penn Group Show - 2007 Louise K Meisel Gallery, NYC