John Newton studied Traditional Classical Oil Painting at the Ontario College of Art and Design, and later studied under Portraiture painter Ray Simpson. His influences as a young artist include Bougereau, Velazquez, Annigoni and many other renaissance artists. Studying these Old Masters encouraged John to develop a sense of understanding that enhanced his narrative visions. They made aware the importance of form and technique, which brought forth John’s poetic visions.
John is currently among the top artists enrolled and the university and has won numerous awards for his work. He has been commissioned for portrait and figurative painting and his work has been displayed in various galleries. These galleries include Kodak Gallery, Nancy Pool Studio and also the Atrium Gallery in OCAD.
The progression of his work can be visually noticeable from single figure paintings to the more complex nature of the “Piano Movers”. John’s vision is not to paint every detail, but to encourage the viewer to look at the painting as a whole. His overall goal as an artist is to persuade his viewer to look into another window of life, and live in that moment to become inspired.
