Meet OnlyJohn

We had the good fortune of connecting with OnlyJohn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi OnlyJohn, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Being alive makes me happy. Appreciating the new day. Seeing what happens when I begin a new piece of work. Gardening. Hiking and searching for the elusive Morel mushrooms. Earthing. Birdsongs. Playing the guitar. Writing songs or poems. Cicadas are my very favorite nature sound. Cooking. Experiencing the endless miracles—air, fresh water, fire, planets orbiting in perfect sync! Feeling the love that emanates from me into the world when I happily do what is put in front of me each day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am OnlyJohn, a mixed-media artist always trying to connect to the hidden dynamic energy of the earth. My creative odyssey connects my former profession of carpentry and home renovation with my enthusiasm for music, nature, and the cosmos.

I experiment with slate, wood, stone, and various tile materials, as well as painting on conventional canvas. I begin by layering a loose pattern of acrylic and/or tempera paint “blobs” onto the surface. Sometimes I spray a section of a piece with water, and I temporarily surrender control. I watch the natural flow guide the paint as I co-create the evolving composition with brushes, points of a pin…even with my breath. My choice of colors is usually inspired by the varied music I have playing, while working in my studio on the second floor of a renovated church.

Every piece that is created through me is from an unseen dimension—a realm that contains something that can only be experienced by viewing it in direct sunlight. The art literally radiates a positive-energy outflow. The pieces are exquisite in their own way, but the optical effect that occurs from placing them in sunlight is quite remarkable. Changing the angle of the light transforms these energies into infinite patterns causing those who witness it to humbly and simply utter, “wow”, followed by “This is incredible/amazing!” My work is the same as that of putting a seed in the ground to give it the earth-energy it needs to break out and expand into whatever it is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby Illinois. It has a main lodge or cabins to rent on the surrounding grounds. I would tell my friends to look at www.enjoylasallecounty.com and pick the places that interest them.
To be honest, the best itinerary would be to hang out in the backyard garden, cooking on the grill and having great conversations and a good laugh.

Interested in making a trek to my current location in the universe? I would be happy to have you visit my studio and / or Starved Rock by appointment. Personally holding the art in sunlight offers quite an unusual experience. I admit it is not as spectacular

as a total solar eclipse, but one really feels alive with energy coming from a positive dimension.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to Ms. Fritz, my high school art teacher. She encouraged me with her acknowledgement of my creativity and her perspective that I should view my art pieces from all angles to make sure it looked amazing from any direction. Even though I had never considered going to art school, she offered to write a recommendation to her alma mater, the school of the Art Institute in Chicago. Although I followed another path, I never forget her invaluable contribution to the way I have expanded my definition of art—it’s the observation of creation in real time.
I also thank my sister Rosanne. Without her assistance I would not be where I am today.

Website: https://art-of-OnlyJohn.blogspot.com