Lacey, John

After many years of painting, John made the decision to become a professional artist in April 2004.

John enjoys painting in oil, expressing himself in the impressionistic style for his landscapes and contemporary works on canvas.

His paintings have been sought after since the mid eighties and are represented in many private collections throughout Australia and overseas.

Over the past 20 years John has gained a reputation for painting award winning impressionistic landscapes in acrylic and watercolour. In early 2004 he changed mediums to oil and also ventured into contemporary work as a creative relief from his traditional style. Since changing mediums he has won awards in South Australia for both styles of painting.
Born in South Australia in 1947 John’s experience began in his school years and he would have loved to have attended art school but was told that “he should get a real job”. Although disappointed he found he enjoyed working as a Motor Body Design draftsman until his art interests were rekindled in the early eighties by a number of South Australia watercolourists. It was the softness of colour, light and atmosphere they created that captured his imagination. This lead him to improving his drawing skills and painting in watercolour, exhibiting, a few sales and winning minor art prizes.
At this time John found art a great release from the mundane tightness of day-to-day drafting activity. So much so, that in 1984 he changed his profession to and became a Graphic Designer, which involved more study and a lot more creativity. Although not having any formal painting tuition he was able to study colour theory and illustration within the Graphic Design course, both of which have helped his painting.
During the mid-nineties, having lost some of his enthusiasm for watercolour, he began trying different mediums. This led to painting colourful landscapes in acrylic, which were readily accepted by the public and caught the judges’ eye on several occasions.
John is now a professional artist and enjoys painting in oils and the occasional acrylic. He continually hones his drawing skills by attending life drawing and conducts many workshops and demonstrations for aspiring artists.
You will find John’s latest paintings on display at Seaview Gallery as well as several South Australian and interstate galleries. His work is to be found in national and overseas collections.