More encouragement to dabble outside of just the “listed” artists– enjoy!
John St. John was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1911. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1935 and the Maxwell School of Public Administration at Syracuse University in 1938. Although he worked in public administration until he went to serve in the military during World War II, it was not until after the war was over that he began painting. He called this endeavor into the world of artists his “second career,” and he did it with the same focus and success as his early professional life. He quickly mastered the techniques of watercolor and oil painting while training under a number of art teachers and mentors. He studied at the famous Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida and then traveled to Mexico, where he worked with Jose Gutierrez in vinyl and fresco mural painting at Mexico City College.
After returning to the United States, St. John became a pioneer in exterior mural painting. In 1955, he was commissioned by the City of Coral Gables, Florida to paint the first large scale mural on the exterior of a public building in the United States. It took five months of work to produce Epochs of Florida History. After a few years of mural painting, St. John moved to Puerto Rico, where he spent 12 years painting the countryside and the sea. He returned to the mainland again and began painting in North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and California. By this time he had developed his own distinctive style using, among other colors, dark reds and pale greens to depict scenes and impressions of nature and people, often from a perspective above the earth. After a few more years of painting in Hawaii, he settled in Solvang, California and founded his own gallery.
St. John paintings are included in numerous private and permanent collections, including, but not limited to: the Musaeo De Arte, Ponce, Puerto Rico; Museum of Art, Tel Aviv, Israel; Syracuse University; Palacio Nacional, Cartegena, Colombia; Knox College, Illinois; Palacio De Bellas Artes, Lima, Peru; Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico; St. Xavier University, New Orleans; Instituto De Cultura Dominico-Americano, Dominican Republic; and Scripps College, Claremont, California.
The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, headquartered in Santa Barbara, was the recipient of John St. John’s estate after he passed away in 1986. The Foundation has an extensive collection of his art, tapestries, prints and books.
I purchased the untitled St. John work pictured above (and one other) directly from the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. If you’re interested in seeing more, I recommend checking out the 1981 book he authored entitled Visions of Reality in Oil Painting. Let me know if you have any additional information or pictures to share with everyone!
I have a large collection of John’s paintings that my parents bought from him in the 60’s and 70’s. I might want to sell them if you know of interested parties.
Thanks-
Hi Lisa,
Where can we view the John St. John paintings you have for sale.?
I am located in Kentucky.
Sincerely,
Suzanne
My wife and I met Mr. St. John at his Solvang gallery back in 1983 when I was looking at one of his paintings and I happened to remark that it looked exactly as I would imagine what the top of the Andes would look like. He was standing right behind me and said that he painted it for that exact reason. We began talking and I mentioned that I also knew a John St. John (Jigsaw John) on the LAPD where I worked. Mr St. John apparently also knew “Jigsaw”. Then he asked me a rather strange question. He asked if I had ever heard of an Enigma machine. When I answered Yes and discribed the encyphering machine used by nazi Germany, he asked how somebody as young as me knew about it. I answered that I had a degree in International Relations and I read a lot. That was the start of one of the most memorable conversations I ever had. He told me about his work with the OSS in WWII and his near nervous breakdown as one of their couriers and how painting saved his mind after the war. Mr. St. John was one of the most interesting people I have had the pleasure to have met in my life time. I was sorry to hear of his passing in 1986. If you can afford to own one of his paintings, make the investment. You won’t be sorry.
John St. John was a family friend. My folks originally met him in Louisville, KY in the early 60s.
I have several of his works that I inherited from my parents. They were mostly collected in the 60s and 70s. Mr. St. John would hold viewings at my parent’s home in Knoxville, TN.
There are no children, nieces or nephews to pass these on to. I will need to sell them at some point. I, too, am looking for a gallery or private collector who would appreciate them as much as we have.
I am no relation, at least as far as I know, to the Lisa Harris who posted above.
I am so glad I found this site. I have been looking for years for Mr. St. John. My husband & I would go to Solvang a few times a year back in the 80′. Each time we would go to visit Mr. St. John. We also had marvelous conversation with him.
When my husband pass in 1986 I took my ride up to Solvang and found the gallery closed. Now I know why..
I have his painting all through my home and each time I look at them it brings me back to our wonderful conversation.
I feel very fortunate to have met such a beautiful man.
I met John right after I returned from Viet Nam in 1968. I have a painting that he called the tribes….a picture that reminded me of the trail of tears. or the wandering of the Jews across the desert. Is there a way that I can have this priced in todays market. Thank-you.
We met John in 1974 in Solvang, while training at Castle AFB in nearby Merced,CA. We had a wonderful conversation about life & fate (he was recovering from a heart attack earlier that year, that he thought he foresaw in his work at that time!). We bought a 40×30″ oil of “Hawaiian Mountains, Skies and Seas” (from his “landscapes” period).
We corresponded for several years. He eventually sent me a signed copy of “Visions of Reality in Oil Paintings”…stating that the painting we had purchased was supposed to have been included in the book (they ran out of room), as it was one of his more significant works, since he was no longer working in large formats.
It still hangs beautifully in my study. I miss our letters.
My Mom & Dad were friends with John St John in Puerto Rico. My Dad is here tonight and we are reminiscing:
My Dad says “He was very non-descript, in the fact that he didn’t say anything. But he painted well.” We have original paintings all over our houses. Mostly of the sea and of boats. I also have some unframed paintings on a thick cardstock – I’m so not artistically knowledgeable – but are they block paintings?? Anyway – if anyone wants to get in touch with Johns’ old friends, Joe & Mary Lou Nagi, feel free to contact susannagi@aol.com