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.
You have shed a ray of snuhsine into the forum. Thanks!
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.
Hi Page,
We can see photos of the paintings you own?
I live in Kentucky.
Thanks!
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne!
I’m sorry I’m just getting back to you. I was online researching values for Mr. St. John’s work as we just donated a couple of small silk screens he created when he was in Hawaii to our local Tibetan society for their annual auctions.
We still have 3 oil paintings and one tapestry. At some point, we are going to sell at least two or three of them as we downsize to a smaller house.
I do have photos of these if you would like to see them.
Love & Light!
Page Harris
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
My Mom and Dad met with John St. John in the late 70′s. They both loved seascapes and after speaking with him for a couple of hours commissioned him to create a seascape for them. He completed the painting in March of 1979.
I have been trying to determine the true value of this painting on todays market. Can anyone help me locate a gallery or a private collector who would enjoy this painting?
Hello, Martin-
I would be interested in seeing a photo of John St. John’s painting which is in your family and you mention on the blog. I’m interested in owning one of his paintings someday when I find the right one. Thanks.
Eric Huenneke
Dear Eric
Can you give me an email that I can send a photo of this seascape. It pleases me to know that someone would enjoy this painting. Truly it would break my heart to part with this but it is an amazing painting that gives me a different look each time I view it.
Respectfully
Martin Mann
Sure. I’d love to see it.
Hello, Martin,
My e-mail is >huenneke@gmail.com<. Not sure it came out the first time.
Thanks and good to hear from you.
Eric
http://www.prospectpl.com
(the inn place to stay when visiting Boston & Cambridge)
Do you still have this painting? Would love to see it, we may be interested.
-Katherine
kk_sheridan@yahoo.com
Katherine
Thank you for responding to my message. I will send an email of this photo for you to see. I truly do not want to part with this painting but would be pleased to know it was in the hands of a true John St. John collector/fan
Respectfully
Martin Mann
I met John in his street level studio in San Juan,Puerto Rico
in the 60′s and we loved his paintings. We then bought a
34X42 painting of the Puerto Rico Rain Forest as seen from
Luquillo Beach and I am very happy we did.
I am now in my late 80′s and working on my estate. Is there any way where I could find out the worth of the painting?
I would appreciate your help if it’s possible.
Thank you, Walter Stern
P.S. John sent me Christmas cards every year and that is how I knew that he had moved to Hawaii.
Dear All, We’re a Child and Youth focused non profit, we will be working with war affected Children, conducting a children’s painting competition on peace as we mark the Global Peace Day 21st September 2010. We’re looking for an open door of children painting material donations. For details on this event, visit our weblink below:-
http://www.aymu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106&Itemid=152
For any feedback, you can reach you by global.peaceday@aymu.org
Albert
My mother was John St. John’s cousin. She gave me some of his art. I would like to know the value of them. I may be interested in selling some of them.
Ann Welch
Hello, Ann-
I would be interested in seeing any photos you might have of John St. John’s paintings, dimensions and what you might be looking to sell any of them for. I admired them at the end of his life, but was unable to afford them then.
Best regards,
Eric Huenneke
my parents friended John in the late 60′s. I have one painting that was painted for my mother as a X-mas gift. I also have 1 or 2 hand painted christmas cards he sent to my parents.
looking to restore the painting and add the cards in a frame.
Hello,
I new John when I lived in Puerto Rico as a boy.
My parents bought several works that I have.
There is one that I am trying to find. It is a very large
work of a red bull. Has any one heard of this painting?
Arthur…..We bought that painting of the red bull when we were stationed
in Puerto Rico in 1967-70 and became good friends with John through the
years. We have several of his beautiful paintings but unfortunately we gave
the red bull to our son in Washington State. He was a fantastic person.
Essy
My grandmother, Myrtle Miller, had an art studio in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. She often traded paintings with John St. John. I have some of his art work. I’m interest in selling one of them.
I met John in 1968 in Puerto Rico. My cousin, who was there in the Navy, had already purchased one of his paintings. I picked one I wanted to buy but John wasn’t sure it was the right one for me. He told me to take it home (I was living on a Navy base there) and see if I still liked it after a while. Amazingly, after a couple of weeks, I started to feel as if it really wasn’t for me. I will never know if that was my real reaction or John’s suggestion. Anyway, I took it back to him and bought another one that I have loved everyday since. It’s a blend of reds and oranges and, to me, it seems to be PR from high up in the sky during a sunset.
Is there any source where I could get more info on his paintings – such as places to view other paintings and see what price ranges are? Estate planning time is coming and I would like to have my chosen recipient know the facts.
Thanks.
How wonderful to finally find this blog on John St. John. I met him perhaps in the very early ’80s at his studio in Solvang and greatly admired his work. Couldn’t afford it then and found that he was gone some years later when passing through there again. Remember him saying he didn’t like to sell more paintings to one family than there were family members. If anyone is looking to sell a painting of his, would be very interested in seeing pictures, etc. I now live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where I’m owner/innkeeper of a Victorian bed and breakfast. My own father is a sculptor near San Diego, though mostly retired now at age 90.
Love the fascinating dialogue. Thanks to all.
Hi Eric,
I have a John St. John painting that my father bought from him at his gallery in Solvang around 1984 or so and I also have a “coffee table” book signed by John. Let me know if you are still interested.
Thanks,
Dave
Hi, Dave,
I’d love to see a picture of the painting you have if you could send it as an attachment to my e-mail:
huenneke@gmail.com
and then see if it speaks to me.
Thanks very much.
Eric
Bougt several of his paintings while he was in Solvang including one of his nudes. Also had him sign his book. The true name of the Bull was La Ultima Cargo.
безглютеновая диета при колитецентр диетического лечебного питания в тюменидиета как похудеть за 7 дней на 10 кгфруктова-овощная диетадиета при кишечной коликечто будеть если целый день пить зелёный чай похудееюлидиеты на 25 кг за месяцдиета по груп пе кровидиеты из фруктовдиета доктора миллеракакие соки полезно пить для избавления от лишнего весакефирная диета ларисы долтнойчай похудейка сколько надо пропить чтобы сбросить 10 кгкуна мей – биодобавка для похудениякак похудеть в области живота и ягодицрецепт диетическое питпние стол 5диета 5 гепатит срецепты диетические десерты и выпечкадиета с печеньемметоды похудения монтиньяка
We just purchased a painting of JSJ and absolutely love it. It is so bright and colorful from his time in Maui. We are quite interested in purchasing more of his work, so if any of you who have some of his work, please send along photographs. We are in Monterey, CA. I am at kk_sheridan@yahoo.com
Thanks!!!
As I stated in the above-post a couple of years ago, I have three of Mr. St. Johns’ paintings and one tapestry that I am now ready to sell. Two of the paintings date to the early 1960′s and one was created in the early 70′s. I believe the tapestry dates to the early 70′s as well.
If you are interested in more detalis, please email me at sorarailinsc&yahoo.com.
that address is sorarailinsc@yahoo.com
I have an early watercolor that he did while a student at the Ringling School of Art. He gave it to my late husbands mother to pay for his rent. I would love to know the value. Emmy Peters.
Very nice to find this site and comments. In 1990, while visiting California from Canada, I bought a ‘wall tapestry / tasseled rug’, of woven wool. it is about 5′x8′. It is an abstract collection of various straight edged sided / right angle cornered shapes. It is, for me, a reminder of desert areas, and the various colors from burgandy, tans, greens through blues that can be found within and around a desert.
I was told, by the gallery, that it was commissioned / approved by St. John, as a new medium, and ‘copy’ of one of his paintings.
Does this ring any bells with anybody?
Many thanks if you can help