Artist Profile: John C. Traynor

Coming Events:

“Figuratively Speaking” Show April 9th in Boston, MA
American Art Review Ad – March/April 2016
John Traynor Demonstration at AAPL 87th Exhibition
Artmatch4u – Artist of the Month – March 2016

John Traynor’s art studies began at Delbarton School in Morristown New Jersey; from there he went to Paier College of Art in New Haven Connecticut, starting at the age of 16. He studied figure painting at the Art Students League of New York, as a merit scholar, with Frank Mason, as well as landscape painting with Mason in Vermont. John followed his studies with Mason by spending a year studying sculpture in Italy.

Traynor has won numerous awards including the Frank Dumont award from the Hudson Valley Art Association and the Medal of Honor from the Salmagundi Club of which he is an honorary member. John was also recently inducted into the Delbarton School Hall of Honors and he has reached the level of Copley Master from the Copley Society of Boston.

John has made numerous painting expeditions to Ireland as well as trips to Holland, Italy, France, Hawaii and many locations across the United States. John currently resides in southern New Hampshire in a quaint New England village with his wife Liz. Their home is surrounded by many gardens that inspire John’s paintings.

John is inspired by the nature he sees around him whether it is the flowers from his gardens, people in his life or the landscape outdoors. Traynor’s interpretation of his subject matter is influenced from artists of the past. His use of light and atmospheric effect are found in many of the old master paintings such as the American tonality painters and the French Impressionist artists. There is a richness and fullness to his work that is ‘old world’ yet contemporary with his unique style.

Be sure to visit John’s website at www.johntraynor.com.

More about John…
John gets asked questions often through email, at his shows and in his classes. He thought it would be fun to share these questions and answers with you. If you have any questions for him, email him at [email protected]. Enjoy!

Q: How often do you paint?
A: Every day that I’m not traveling.
Q: How do you get inspired?
A: Nature inspires me when I’m outside painting. When I’m in the studio I just start painting and the inspiration comes.
Q: If you are not painting where can you be found?
A: In the warm weather I enjoy playing golf and in the winter I like to ski when I get a chance.
Q: What do you do to challenge yourself?
A: I like to do large paintings as a challenge.
Q: Do you think someone is born an artist or taught?
A: Anyone can be taught to paint but you have to be born an artist.
Q: If you could have a conversation with any non-living artist who would it be and why?
A: I like many painters from the past but would have no need to talk to them because I can be inspired by looking at the work they left.
Q: How do you know a painting is complete?
A: When it gives the impression to the viewer that I want to give.
Q: Do you prefer to paint inside or outside?
A: I like to do both. Although its more of a process to paint outside. I mostly paint outside to learn from nature.
Q: What is your favorite subject to paint?
A: Probably people.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do?
A: Spending time with my friends and family. I also enjoy jogging in the morning with my dog.
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Blue
Q: Do you have a favorite painting?
A: No, all of my paintings are something I have created so they all have meaning to me.
I enjoy finding new paintings from past artist that I haven’t seen before and inspire me.