Background
John Sills works in a manner that derives its technical and stylistic inspiration
from the Old Masters. Concerned with permanence and luminescence, he
follows traditional precepts in grinding his paints from dry pigments, hand priming
his linen, and using glazes to gain an illuminated surface.
John paints nature in all its forms, choosing to emphasize those aspects
that create an awareness of the environment. Toward this end, his landscapes exhibit
the sensitivity that urges the viewer to
appreciate the spiritual aspects of the
land, and actively participate in its protection and preservation. He shares his
knowledge by teaching classes and conducting workshops in plein air painting.
In still life painting, the capturing of light and atmosphere is his main
concern. John strives to do this through careful observation and attention to technique.
Art Education
1988 Schuler School of Fine Arts, Graduate year.
Independent study; undergraduate assistance
1984 - 1988 Schuler School of Fine Arts. Completed 4-year program of advanced
study in fine arts.
1982 Towson State University, semester study abroad. Semester in
Florence, Italy studying Renaissance Art
1980 - 1984 Towson State University, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts
Employment 1995 -2004 Oil painting instructor at the Schuler School of Fine Arts,
Baltimore, Maryland. Teaching beginner to master classes
2002 -2004 Oil painting, landscape painting instructor at the Mitchell
School of Fine Arts, Baltimore, MD
2007 –2011 Landscape painting instructor at the Zoll Studio School of Fine Art
Awards
2015 Plein Air Easton Competition — 3rd Place Award
2014 Plein Air Easton Competition — Grand Prize Award
Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational — Award of Excellence
2012 Plein Air Easton Competition —Troika Gallery Award Best Painting by a Maryland Artist
2011 Plein Air Easton Competition — Artist Choice Award
2010 Plein Air Easton Competition — Troika Gallery Award Best painting by a Maryland Artist Havre de Grace Plein Air Competition — 1st Place Award
2009 Paint Annapolis Plein Air Competition — Peoples Choice Award Have de Grace Plein Air Competition — 1st Place Award
2003 Paint Annapolis, Annapolis, MD — People’s Choice Award
2000 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA American Artist Magazine National Realism —Competition finalist
1994 Chesapeake Bay Foundation Annual Show — 1st place in oils
Exhibits
2017 Boston International Fine Art Show, Boston, MA — Group Show
2016 Simie Maryles Gallery, Provincetown, MA — One man Show
2014 McBride Gallery, “Best of the Chesepeake” Show, Annapolis, MD — Group Show
Simie Maryles Gallery, Provincetown, MA — One Man Show
2013 Simie Maryles Gallery, Provincetown, MA — One Man Show
String of Pearls Exhibition, Annapolis, MD — Group Show
2012 McBride Gallery, Annapolis,MD — Group Show
Simie Maryles Gallery, Provincetown, MA — Group Show
2006 Simie Maryles Galley, Provincetown, MA — One man show
Zoll Studio of Fine Art, Tiomonium, MD — Faculty Show
2005 C. Grimaldis Gallery, Baltimore, MD — Group show
Art For Landsake, Glyndon, MD — One man show
Baltimore Choral Arts Society — Invitational Show
2004 Simie Maryles Gallery, Provincetown, MA — Group show
Main Street Gallery, Annapolis, MD — Group show
Baltimore Choral Arts Society — Invitational Show2005 C. Grimaldis Gallery, Baltimore, MD — Group show
Art For Landsake, Glyndon, MD — One man show
Baltimore Choral Arts Society — Invitational Show
2003 Grand Style Gallery, Baltimore, MD — One-man show
Simie Maryles Gallery, Provincetown, MA — One man show
2002 Troika Gallery , Easton,MD— One-man show
Simie Maryles Gallery, Provincetown, MA — One man show
Jacques Maroger and His Legacy— Foxhall Gallery, Washington DC—Group
2000 Bendann Art Galleries, Towson, MD — One-man show2002 Troika Gallery , Easton,MD— One-man show
Simie Maryles Gallery, Provincetown, MA — One man show
Jacques Maroger and His Legacy— Foxhall Gallery, Washington DC—Group
1999 Baltimore Choral Arts Society — Invitational show
McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD — One-man show
1998 Troika Gallery Inaugural Show, Easton, MD
Baltimore Choral Arts Society — Invitational show Baltimore Choral Arts Society — Invitational show
Bendann Art Galleries, Towson, MD — One-man show
1997 Jacques Maroger and His Tradition — National touring group show
McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD — One-man show
Laurel Art Guild Annual Juried show, Laurel, MD
Heritage Art Gallery, Alexandria, VA
1996 “Art Blooms at the Walters” — The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Bendann Art Galleries, Towson, MD — Two-man show
1995 Bendann Art Galleries, Towson, MD — Anniversary group show
McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD — One-man show
“Art Blooms at the Walters” — The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Bendann Art Galleries — Classical Realism show
1994 Huntsman Gallery, Aspen, CO
Mill River Gallery, Ellicott City, MD — Inaugural show
“Art Blooms at the Walters” — The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Annual Show — 1st place in oils
Three Arts Club, Baltimore, MD — Group show
Strays Gallery, Towson, MD
McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD
1993 ”Art Blooms at the Walters” — The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Annual Show — 2nd place in oils
Strays Gallery, Towson, MD
Muse Gallery, Towson, MD
1992 Gibson Island Country Club — One-man show
Muse Gallery, Towson, MD — One-man show
“Art Blooms at the Walters” — The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, MD
The Charcoal Club Show — Muse Gallery, Towson, MD
1991 “Art of the Dance” — Life of Maryland Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Quail Valley Gallery, Sparks, MD — One-man show
Cartuche Gallery, Baltimore, MD — One-man show
“Jacques Maroger et Son Heritage” — Life of Maryland Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Quail Valley Gallery, Sparks, MD — Spring landscape show
Quail Valley Gallery, Sparks, MD — Winter show
Cartuche Gallery, Baltimore, MD — Baltimore Artist exhibition
1990 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Quail Valley Gallery, Sparks, MD — One-man show
Parish House, Butler, MD — One-man show
Quail Valley Gallery, Sparks, MD — Maryland Landscape exhibition
Baltimore Charcoal Club — Invited artist
1989 Hoffberger Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Cathedral of Mary Our Queen Library — One-man show
Ariel Gallery, New York, NY — Soho International Art Competition — 5th place
Prince Royal Gallery, Alexandria, VA
Stacey Grant Award — Recipient
1988 Artist Magazine — Finalist in National Still Life Contest
Burkett Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Susquehanna Art Society Juried show — 2nd place award
Conrad-Miller Gallery — Five Contemporary Realists show
1986 Robert Urban Gallery, Hunt Valley, MD
1985 Schuler School of Fine Arts — Annual Student Exhibition
Towson Arts Festival, Towson, MD — 3rd place award
1984 Schuler School of Fine Arts — Annual Student Exhibition
Towson Arts Festival, Towson, MD — Honorable Mention award
1982 Towson State University, Towson, MD — Student show
Museum Exhibitions
Governor’s Mansion, Annapolis, MD
Butler Institute Annex, Eckland, OH
Evergreen House, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Washington County Museum, Hagerstown,
List of Collectors
John Sills’ works are in private collection in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, New Jersey,Rhode Island, Maine, California, Colorado, Canada, Jamaica W.I. and Grand Cayman W.I.
Corporate Collections
B.T. Alex Brown & Sons, Inc.
Law Offices of Michael Hodes
Dexta Bank and Trust Co., Grand Cayman W.I.
Grammercy Estate
Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital