John Burrows graduated from the Los Angeles Art Center College of Design and began his successful career as Burrows Design, giving him a close connection to many forms of art, architecture, landscaping and graphics. After 35 years in the architecture and interior design business John decided to pursue his passion for painting full time.
John grew up in southern California with a father who was a building designer and contractor, developing commercial properties. When he was 8 years old he was diagnosed with polio but thankfully the effects were small and over time he was able to work out any atrophy. Despite this, his father was concerned about his motor skills and constantly had John carving or drawing or painting, even making beaded hat bands and belts. His eye hand coordination has been excellent ever since and he became infatuated with the arts at a very early age.
When John began painting full time he initially used acrylic paints. He soon moved towards oil paints and has never looked back. In the words of the artist: "Oil is so vibrant and the paint stays wet while I work it. I loved impasto painting with large brushes that enhanced my impressionistic works. Wanting to be more expressive, I started applying my paints with large drywall knives which I call "blades". My favorite is 5" wide and my paintings soon became filled with movement and texture. I am told that it is easy to get lost in or mesmerized by my work as there are always surprises upon second and third viewings. My paintings range from abstract impressionism to purely abstract. I never get tired of experimenting with new materials and techniques."
Through his art, John gives the viewer a sense of shared identity with subjects and scenes familiar to us all. John tends to paint using a larger format, as he is convinced that simplicity demands a broader canvas. By distancing us from details, John draws us deeper into his subjects, using simple and impressionistic forms that convey a pleasing irony. In some pieces we feel a rushing yet fluid motion, while others invite us to join in their contemplative solitude. One patron commented that Jon's paintings look like recalled memories or dreams.
John currently shows in galleries in La Jolla, Laguna Beach and Palm Springs, CA, Provincetown, MA, Delray Beach, FL and London, UK.
