John Whytock

@johnwhytockart

“Beauty, like truth, exists. And we, as human beings, have an almost divine capacity to recognize it. Art, for me, is an expression in paint of what my heart feels when my eyes are opened to the vast and amazing splendor of creation. Despite the myriad struggles and challenges on the path of a career artist, this one unchanging fact remains: I paint because if I didn’t, my heart might explode. When a kindred spirit is touched while viewing my painting and feels that same infilling, that same indescribable longing and appreciation for our marvelous world, I consider that work a success.”

Artist Biography

John Whytock has been a professional artist since 1979. His award-winning fine art has been shown in galleries from New York City to San Francisco and is collected throughout the world. He is also a renowned muralist, and has painted murals for museums, hotels, casinos, and private parties.

John was born in Glendale, California in 1950. He will tell you he is really just a guitar player, having been a professional musician throughout high school and as a young adult. As touring does not work well for family life, his father-in-law got him a job as a carpenter’s apprentice. It was not until after spending 6 years in that profession and achieving journeyman status that he realized construction was not what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He had a talent for drawing but could not afford a formal education with a young family. With the idea that illustration would allow him to learn his craft and make a living at the same time, he began working toward his goal.  Every evening after work in between caring for his young children, he would draw for hours working to improve his skills. The portfolio he developed in those evening hours eventually led to employment as an artist and, in 1979, the beginning of his seven year apprenticeship - two years as an in-house illustrator, and five years in a mural studio, becoming a principal artist in both establishments. In 1986 he ventured out on his own upon winning a mural competition for Mission San Juan Capistrano. He spent many years painting murals and fine art before receiving several long-term mural and diorama commissions for the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum and The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, both located in Springfield, Missouri, and the last of which was completed at the end of 2017.

Since the beginning of 2018, he has returned his focus to fine art, winning numerous awards from various organizations. He was honored to have three of his works chosen as finalists in the prestigious 15th International ARC Salon. His work has been published in Plein Air Magazine, and he was a contributing author for their online publication, Outdoor Painter. John is a member of numerous local and national professional organizations.

A native of Newport Beach, California, he now resides in Springfield, Missouri where he lives with his wife, Deborah. Together they operate their business, Oak Rose Studio, which offers their artwork, classes and workshops in painting and drawing, and select website services for artists. John also accepts commissions and has extensive experience in portraiture.