Artist Statement: My artistic style and method, as well as my philosophy about art, are founded in my admiration for Northern European realism, American realism, and Tonalism. As a craftsman, I build surface and texture through layered oil painting combined with thin applications of translucent glazing. I have found that such an approach allows me to capture light as well as render form that has an intrinsic identity and offers the viewer a subtle expression of beauty as it is found in landscape, still life, and figure. I study and report form by concurrently sketching and painting as I move a work forward to completion. Using this method, combined with traditional aesthetic principles, allows me to create contemporary images that are luminous, tonal, evocative, and spiritual and that connect with the viewer on a personal level. By indulging in form and the aesthetic, I attempt to paint the denominators most common to human beings in their search for the beautiful and sublime. Thus I hope my art offers a connection to good things. A third-generation artist, John began painting at age 7 under the instruction of his father, an accomplished watercolor artist. With his parents' support, John continued to paint, study, and refine his skills. He earned his BFA from Brigham Young University under the guidance of Greenwich Workshop artist James C. Christensen, oil painter Bruce Smith, and printmaker Jenni Christenson. After finishing his BFA, John completed his graduate work in educational psychology. An award-winning artist, John has received recognition through gallery exhibitions, such as at the University of Oregon Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Bakersfield Museum of Art, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Coos Art Museum, AN Bush Gallery, Corvallis Arts Center, University of Portland Buckley Center Gallery, and Western Oregon University Cannon Gallery of Art. His works are included in several notable private collections, as well as the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Coos Art Museum, Yaquina River Museum of Art, Mahonia Hall Governor’s Mansion, Maryhill Museum of Art, Bush House Museum, Bakersfield Museum of Art, University of Portland, and the print collections of Brigham Young University and Illinois University.Born in Colorado and raised in Southern California, John has been a resident of Oregon for over 35 years. Besides being an artist, he is a writer (nonfiction and poetry), musician, school psychologist, internationally recognized leader in violence prevention and behavioral threat assessment (John Van Dreal Consulting), and the retired Director of Security, Safety, and Risk Management Services for Salem-Keizer Schools. John is dedicated to his community, supporting nonprofit arts and human services organizations. Finally, he is lucky to be the partner of a gifted school counselor, a proud father of two brilliant adult children, and a loving companion to two pets.