John Stockwell
"These paintings depict the place that I have chosen as my home. I walk here regularly taking in these views. Leaving the forest behind, nature opens up to vast fields, which spill out to the Baltic Sea. The light always changes, dancing over the crops. It’s like nature is inviting me to play." - John Stockwell
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John Stockwell, "Courage," 2024, oil on canvas, 31.5 x 51 inches, $15,000
“In trying times, I soak in how Nature is ready to reseed, rebloom, live on and reincarnate. I celebrate the rebirth of Nature. I love the expectation of what comes next.” – John Stockwell, 2024
John Stockwell, "Marigold," 2024, oil on canvas, 31.5 x 59 inches - SOLD
“Pushing for an uplifted energy, I strive to release the strength and warmth of fiery oranges before harnessing them with contrast and composition. I want Nature to leak out lava of positive power.”
– John Stockwell, 2024
John Stockwell, "Haven," 2024, oil on canvas, 31.5 x 59 inches - SOLD
“Fruit trees, beacons of light…receding in perspective…atmosphere will guide the way to a place of peace, a place of beauty, a place of love.” - John Stockwell, 2024
John Stockwell, "RAVI IV," 2024, oil on canvas, 39.5 x 59.5 inches, $21,000
“This thick lush field stands proud before the distant ocean. Shadows define the best part of light. The positive tension in the energy of the landscape inspires me endlessly.” - John Stockwell, 2024
John Stockwell, "Enchanté," 2024, oil on canvas, 39.5 x 59.5 inches - SOLD
“This painting represents a fusion of reality and fantasy. My subject is three Supremes dressed up to put on a show. One stands out and the others support. A call from Nature instructing all of us to celebrate the moment.” - John Stockwell, 2024
John Stockwell, "Zinnia," 2024, oil on canvas, 31.5 x 65 inches, $18,000
“I seek a timeless space. I seek Divine Proportion, where a tree and a horizon, a circle and a line, all find a space between Figurative and Abstract. Where an ocean of yellow flowers drowns out the constant wave of world turbulence.” - John Stockwell, 2024
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John Stockwell on view at Arden Gallery, May 2024
Gorgeous, luscious, three-dimensional TEXTURE
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John Stockwell on view at Arden Gallery, May 2024
John Stockwell and TM Glass on view at Arden Gallery, May 2024
“When walking through the orchards I become inspired by the personalities of the old apple trees. Like proud peacocks, they present the fertility of their blossoms. A celebration of humming energy from every fragrant flower. My inspiration soars.” – JS, 2022
John Stockwell, "Haze and Hills," 2023, oil on canvas, 30 x 59 inches, $16,000
“I can be consumed by the serenity of a summer night and the way nature abstracts the evening light. The presence of the geometric shadows with the soft atmosphere in the hills is one of Mother Nature’s greatest mysteries.” – JS, 2023
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John Stockwell, "Baltic Blue," 2022, oil on canvas, 39.5 x 65 inches, $23,000
“At dusk or dawn, I reach for a perfect place…the line between land and sea, earth and atmosphere. A harmony in blue speaks to me as I long for the calmest moment.” – JS, 2022
John Stockwell, "Marvel," 2022, oil on canvas, 39.5 x 65 inches, $23,000
“When intensely affected by the state of the world, I experience a profound need to immerse myself in my work. The balance in the paintings themselves, between light and dark, mystery and clarity, is of the essence. I marvel at nature’s ability to let everything co-exist.” – JS, 2022
John Stockwell, "Mantra," 2021, oil on canvas, 29.5 x 47 inches, $14,000
"When I paint I go on a meditative journey. I try not to think, but only reach deep within. I try to find that meditative hum of inexplicable energy, that special connection with everything around me. This path of poppies, through the high energy of the color-field, represents to me the focus and determination that meditation also is, the Mantra." - JS, 2021
texture, texture, texture...
detail from "Baltic Blue"
detail from "Marvel"
detail from "Bay"
detail from "Gemini"
detail from "Hope"
detail from "Road with Apple Trees"
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sold works & installation shots
ABOUT THE ARTIST
"Without fail, John Stockwell’s paintings stop viewers in their tracks. I have personally witnessed this happen hundreds of times. Visitors to the gallery become instantly transfixed by John’s work. Most often I observe people wrapped in a moment of silence. There is a palpable wave of astonishment, followed by broad smiles, wide eyes, and some type of verbal expression of love.
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Arden Gallery has had the honor of representing John Stockwell’s paintings for more than two decades. Over time, there has been a steady evolution within the work. This transition has been visible in each piece John has delivered to the gallery. And yet, when I recently came across a painting completed in early 2001, I was absolutely stunned by the colossal metamorphosis which has evidently taken place under our very noses.
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Where once his works had been dreamy and ethereal…now they are immediate and intense. By painting with his hands and using his fingertips John is able to achieve lively, expressionistic markings. Close inspection of his foregrounds reveal seemingly infinite layers of color. Within the peaks, clusters, and rugged markings are surprising bits of unexpected hues, which add energy and vibrancy. His arresting imagery, his uncommon textures, and his fearless hand actualize some of the most breathtaking works of art Arden Gallery has ever offered." - Zola Solamente, Owner of Arden Gallery
John Stockwell’s 10 most asked questions and answers 2022:
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Which one of your paintings is your favorite?
John Stockwell: “Always, the next one.”
2. How long did it take you to make that painting?
John Stockwell: “64 years."
3. When did you know you wanted to be an Artist?
John Stockwell: “When I was 14 years old, I saw an Edward Hopper painting in the Whitney Museum of Art of a bridge receding in perspective. I looked at the atmosphere in the picture and said to myself: ‘I want to do that!’”
4. Who is your favorite Artist?
John Stockwell: “There are so many…. the 10 artists that have influenced me the most are:
Mary Cassatt
George Inness
Claude Monet
Mark Rothko
Vincent Van Gogh
Edward Hopper
Winslow Homer
Rembrandt van Rijn
Richard Diebenkorn
John Singer Sargent
J.M.W Turner”
5. Are your paintings actual places?
John Stockwell: “For years, I painted outside on location using chalk pastels. I began painting oils from the pastels,
building up the images on canvas in the studio. The process evolved to where the pastels became a starting for my imagination. Now, the mood and the energy in the picture is more important than the actual subject.”
6. Do you have certain working hours in the studio?
John Stockwell: “I only paint when I’m inspired. That can be in the morning or the evening- all day or all night.”
7. Is there something other than paint in the thick parts of the picture?
John Stocvkwell: “No. I use a classical mix of one third Linseed oil, one third damar varnish and one third turpentine…and
a LOT of oil paint.”
8. What technique do you use to make your paintings?
John Stockwell: “ with my hands (and yes, these days I do use thin gloves.)
9. Where do you get your inspiration?
John Stockwell: “I wish I knew. It’s one of the great mysteries in life.”
10. What do you do when you don’t paint?
John Stockwell: “Suffer.”
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