About
Chester County, PA native John Pompeo is a self-taught artist, “born with a crayon in my hand”. However he wasn’t always a painter. He initially gravitated toward science, earning a BS degree in Biology. But ten years in the Pharmaceutical industry as a biochemist left him feeling lost and longing to re-connect with the artist that had always been there, patiently waiting to re-emerge. In 2001 he decided to make a drastic career change and started a mural business, eventually creating smaller works on canvas. The events of 9/11 occurred after only a month into the career change, serving to strengthen his resolve and steer him in the direction of natural and peaceful subject matter.
Influences range from contemporary plein- air artists to early-20th century American Impressionists. John exhibits his works at art shows and festivals from VA to CT. Some exhibitions of note . . .
Bruce Museum Fine Arts Festival, Greenwich, CT
Ritenhouse Square Art Show (Spring and Fall), Philadelphia, PA
Historic Yellow Springs Art Show, Chester Springs, PA
Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, Bethesda, MD
Rehoboth Art League Member Show, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Museum of Contemporary Art Boardwalk Show, VA Beach, VA
ARTIST STATEMENT:
The subjects I am inspired to paint have one thing in common…a sense of serenity. As a result, most of my paintings are portraits of the natural world. My goal is to reflect the emotional response I have to a subject, and evoke a similar feeling of peace within the viewer. In this small way I feel that my contribution to the world is helping people slow down and re-connect with the poetic beauty of nature.
I’m currently interested in creating large, peaceful land- and sea-scapes, predominantly in a square orientation, as I like the challenge of simplifying a composition to its most essential and basic idea.
For thousands of years hand-made artwork has been used to affect the feel of a space and add a touch of humanity to interior design. The Chinese practice of Feng Shui often uses art to alter the energy of a room and inspire the fulfillment of future goals and dreams. With this in mind, my intention is always to produce pieces that inspire, awaken, and soothe…whether they are briefly being viewed in a gallery, or contributing to the harmonious energy of a collector’s living room.