John MacDonald

Influenced by George Inness and the American Tonalists as well as the classic “mountain and rivers” poets of China, I strive to say as much as possible with as little as possible–to subtly suggest rather than to overtly describe the landscape. My subject matter is the mood that arises from the quiet contemplation of nature, a seeing of the landscape that leaves some mystery in a painting, something unresolved that allows the viewer to explore the painted landscape and make discoveries within it. A painter and former illustrator, John now works almost exclusively in a Tonalist style, capturing the timelessness of the unpeopled landscape. Known equally for the quality of his work and his teaching, John has taught workshops for 20 years and is featured in three Streamline videos. He has also taught workshops through the Clark Art Institute and has twice been featured as a demo artist at the national Plein Air Convention. Professional memberships have included the Society of Illustrators, the Illustrators Partnership of America, the National Association of Plein Air Painters, Oil Painters of America, and the American Tonalist Society. His work has been shown in numerous solo and group shows n Canada and the United States. His paintings can be found in collections through North America.