Comments on: John St. John, “undiscovered” artist with kick-ass name

By: Walter Stern

Walter Stern — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:55:01 +0000

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.

By: martin mann

martin mann — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:05:21 +0000

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?

By: Suzanne Evans

Suzanne Evans — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:34:22 +0000

Hi Page,

We can see photos of the paintings you own?

I live in Kentucky.

Thanks!

Suzanne

By: Suzanne Evans

Suzanne Evans — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:31:41 +0000

Hi Lisa,

Where can we view the John St. John paintings you have for sale.?

I am located in Kentucky.

Sincerely,
Suzanne

By: Susan Nagi

Susan Nagi — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:38:16 +0000

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

By: Stephen Lyle

Stephen Lyle — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:00:09 +0000

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.

By: Gary Adler Fourstar

Gary Adler Fourstar — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:43:25 +0000

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.

By: Penny Newtson

Penny Newtson — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:17:44 +0000

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.

By: Page Harris

Page Harris — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:23:47 +0000

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.

By: Rich Kellogg

Rich Kellogg — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:45:32 +0000

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.