John Brandon Sills received his BA In Fine Art at Towson State University in 1984, while a student at Towson State John studied studied Renaissance Art in Florence, Italy . John then attended the Schuler School of Fine Art in Baltimore, Maryland, graduating in 1988. His paintings are in numerous collections in the United States as well as collections in Canada, England, France, Jamaica, Grand Cayman B.W.I. and Australia.
John has won many awards including First place in the 2010 and 2012 Have De Grace Plein Air Competition. First place in the 2013 Paint Annapolis Plein Air Competition. Best Painting by a Maryland Artist Award in the prestigious Plein Air Easton Competition in 2010 and 2012, Artist's Choice Award in 2011 and in 2014 John was the Plein Air Easton Grand Prize winner. In addition, John received the Award of Excellence in the 2014 Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational. John was the 3rd place winner in the Plein Air Easton Competition. 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 and recognize the spiritual aspects of the Earth and actively participate in its protection and preservation. John believes that art is form of communication, so he places a high value on the inspiration behind the creation of a painting. In this respect John encourages young artists to look within themselves for the most beautiful vision that they as an artist can conceive of and courageously offer it to world to enrich and raise the consciousness of the viewer. This meditative process guarantees that the artist will produce the most sublime art of which they are capable.
Publications
Articles
2017 Brock, Alan. "Collector Profile, Alan Brock". Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. Jan/Feb
2015 Drago, Patrice. "Gallery: Visual Art is Thriving in Annapolis". Capital Gazette November 3 2015
2014 Plein Air Easton. "Plein Air Easton Announces Awards, Breaks Painting Sales Records"
The Talbot Spy August 17 2014
Polk, Chris. "Plein Air Artists Win Prizes". The Star Democrat July 19 2014
2003 Schaffer, Sarah. "Best Bets" The Baltimore Sun May 22 2003
Magazines
2016 Doherty, Stephen M. "Moving Through Fear" Plein Air Magazine July 2016
2002 Gosman, M Linda. " The Zen of Luminosity" American Artist Magazine April 2002
Books
2014 Pendleton, Gary "100 Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic" Schiffer Publishing Ltd.