I create art because I love to create. Canvas and the computer allow me to escape into a world where the possibilities are limitless.
When I’m painting its like I can hear God talking to me. When I’m in my studio, I have to say that it feels more like prayer than painting. I’ve been in many conversations before but art is where I can communicate more effectively.
I recently completed three pieces which were a list of several projects that I am currently completing. I decided to work on a series of paintings that focused mainly on portraits. The first picture is called a Lady, the second is called A lady part 2, and the third is called A Gentle Man. I am currently working on a fourth in the series named The Lone Soldier. The first three paintings were originally done in oil pastels but then redone in Photoshop CS3 using a WACOM pad. The prints are 23 inch x 34 inches.
What inspires me is usually everything around me. I usually wake up in the middle of the night to start working. I’m constantly drawing trying to work things out that I’ve seen in my subconscious.
I want to touch people, I think what I want people to do is ask questions. I love pushing myself but I want people to see my art and fall in love.
I could spend days prepping and several days painting.
I’m a very spiritual person but I’m torn between this world and the invisible world. So my work has an ethereal feel to it. I love creating characters with expressive eyes.
I love Frank Frazzetas and Caravaggio work.
My philosophy is not just do the art but become the art you do. It’s the little imperfections that make us consistent.
My future goals are to spend more time doing more art. I would love to touch the world with my vision.
I’m constantly growing, I try to use everything available to me. I don’t liken myself to any one medium. I would use charcoal one day, Oil pastels the next, And then switch to Painter or Photoshop the next.
I originally was a pencil, pen and ink guy. I also have knowledge of clay and sculpting along with some knowledge of Maya, Lightwave, and Zbrush. Outside of using Photoshop and painter, I have yet to actually apply any of my other skills to my current repertoire. My future goals are basically, is to just do and learn more about art and learn. The art world is constantly changing and growing based upon new mediums, mediums that I openly embraced.
BIOGRAPHY
John H. Drew Jr. was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. He spent his formative year raised between Plainfield and Potters Crossing, New Jersey.
John developed a keen eye for detail and a very vivid imagination, drawing, painting, writing and telling stories all before the age of six. John would go onto Business School and from there he would study the visual arts at Community college; with a concentration in Design and Illustration. He would later earn a degree in Visual Communication with a concentration in Multimedia & Design.John is currently working towards completing his MFA in Graphic Illustration at the Academy of Art University located in San Francisco, California.
What separates John’s work from other artist is how his art evokes deep thought, warmth, and familiarity? John Drew’s art moves people; in ways that can only be described as spiritual. One example is the piece, “Obama”. What John captures is a darker mood of our current President, different from what the public and media sees. John’s Obama is a more frustrated and intense vision, not the usual upbeat façade portrayed by his devoted public
John biggest influence is animation and comic books. John is clearly a well rounded Fantasy Science Fiction portrait artist; with the ability to work in both traditional and modern mediums. In addition, John is very familiar with digital mediums as seen in his most recent work. An example of this would his original piece, “A lady”. John builds mood and expression using warm colors and even softer tones. He speaks to his audience by creating an illusion of familiarity with his subject.
Whether working out a new concept or designing characters – John takes pleasure in saturating himself in the whole creative process. Best known for working long hours to complete his works of art - of which the end results are quite astounding.
John Drew’s best quality is his eye for penetrating detail, his persistence, and his need for perfection. Faced with complex issues, John will work day and night until he finds a resolution. Johns need for perfection may border on complete compulsion but there is some uniquely divine incentive behind his madness.
John Drew enjoys film, animation, music, martial arts, comics, great literature, and philosophy. As an illustrator, John’s major focus is to complete his Graphic Novel so that he can reach a broader audience.
John Drew’s on going mission is to constantly improve as an artist, to deepen his love for God, family, and community. In the future, Mr. Drew wants to create more creative jobs and avenues for talented young people because they represent the future of his craft.
· “Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable." –George Bernard Shaw–
