John Wentz was born and raised in the San Francisco the Bay Area. His interest in art began at the age of 6 when he first discovered Batman and Spiderman comic books. After years of copying comics panel by panel he worked in the commercial arts as a muralist, billboard creator and freelance illustrator. After learning to paint by doing airbrushed billboards,  John decided to pursue Fine Art and work in oils.  Since then, he has had 3 solo exhibitions in San Francisco and numerous group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. His works have appeared in many publications and have won multiple awards. John now paints full time. 

 

 

PASSAGES

 

The Passages series began with a desire to exam the possibilities of painting both conventionally and abstractly. In this new series, I wanted to explore and emphasize the essential components of painting: composition, color and the application of paint. In doing so, it seemed necessary, and quite a challenge, to limit and simplify these elements in order to communicate to the viewer that in simplicity there is strength. With a limited palette, sparse compositions and nearly abstract mark making, I hope to connect and create a visual dialogue that transcends words.

 

I found that multi figure compositions lend themselves perfectly for moving toward abstract territory, allowing me to call attention to the paint itself. A variety of shapes, sizes and colors can be manipulated and exaggerated while the minimal surroundings serve to support them compositionally. These figures exist in that moment between point of departure and destination. I begin to wonder how many of them have a destination point and how many are just wandering, hoping to stumble upon something interesting. These are daily passages that we all experience, moving and interacting of meaningful, going somewhere or nowhere at all…an experience often taken for granted. As an artist, I hope to convey the beauty, and sometimes loneliness, of these moments in a way that only painting can.

 

 

Education

 

2006   BFA, Painting; Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA with distinction   

Professional Experience 2006-2012  

Instructor in Fine Arts, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA  (Drawing, Painting, Anatomy, Composition, and Color Theory)