The Talented Mr. John Maxon

There's no denying that John Maxon has talent! His contemporary landscapes are rich in color and expression, and are dramatic interpretations of expansive vistas. Chemers Gallery carried his work years ago, and we're only too happy to be presenting his gorgeous paintings once again.

Untitled Landscape
Mixed Media on Paper

The above untitled landscape showcases John's amazing plays of light and color within the vista. It's a beautiful rendition of a dramatic sunset, with the clouds blazing in the early evening glow. Growing up on a working farm in Wyoming, John marveled at the particular splendor of nature from an early age. He went on to attend the San Francisco Art Institute, earning his BA in painting from San Jose State University. He also holds an MFA in painting from UC Davis, and has even attended Stanford University! John now lives in the San Francisco Bay area which provides him with endless inspiration.

Yes and Known
Oil on Canvas

One of the most accomplished elements of John's work is its ability to change its focus depending on where you're standing, particularly with his larger-scale paintings on canvas. Viewed up close, each image is made from abstracted blocks and swishes of color over layers of rich underpainting. Step back from the piece, however, and the figurative elements come together to create a whole new image. John chooses his colors expertly, echoing nature without mimicking it. Yes and Known is stunning in pictures, but it's best seen in person. That's the only way you'll get to appreciate the vibrant reds, the layers of built-up paint or the textures of color. It's a completely different painting up close, and the longer you look at it, the more you see in it.

You can always see John's smaller works on paper and larger works on canvas on our website, but to get the full effect, come to see them in person!

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