Underlying all of my work is my love for the act of painting, as that is how I sort out pleasant memories, curiosity about mechanisms and dismay at society’s injustices. There is something magical about taking a blank canvas, tubes of paint and some brushes to create something meaningful, logical, thought-provoking and, I hope, beautiful. Succinctly capturing a subject, a scene or an idea after reflecting on why it drew my attention and imagination is immensely satisfying, often joyful. I particularly like to paint the things around us which have beauty and complexity but which we take for granted. Like the way the setting sun shines through a glass of wine. Or the collection of shapes, surfaces and colors in everyday tools – a corkscrew, scissors, a can opener. Do we see the beauty of these mechanical marvels?
Painting also allows me to point out some of the pain and disconnects in our world. Are we as a society distracted to the point that we forget to pay attention to what people are really feeling? Loneliness, anger and isolation are things I see when I look around me. I sense a general and lasting frustration in our efforts to make our world better, both as individuals and as a whole. Technology has produced many things to make us more connected – cell phones, email, Facebook, texting. But those tools seem only to encourage superficial connections, not build community. Through painting, I hope to draw attention to beauty, to create conversations and spotlight society’s paradoxes.
Out Of My Head
By John Gregor
Powerless Tools
Pike Place Market & Seattle Waterfront
Landscapes & Seascapes
Nature
Lifestyle
