Bio for Nov-Dec Show at Plunge Into The Arts

The Commercial Foundation

For John Potter, art is often a solution to a problem. Whether designing a map, painting a mural, or creating an illustration, his commercial work is built on clarity, craftsmanship, and a specific visual goal. That same discipline drives his fine art, though the assignment shifts: instead of fulfilling a specific need, these paintings explore potential.

The Technique

Potter’s unconventional image making method is a direct bleed from his commercial practice. In print production, halftone patterns are a precise tool for rendering grayscale images with only black ink. In the studio, that practical solution becomes a visual language. Drawing on his experience in sign-making and color separation, these paintings are a fusion of computer skills, hands-on problem solving, and traditional tools.

The Philosophy

This interplay between the commercial and the fine art world runs through everything he makes. The same eye that helps a marina guest find their slip or a resort visitor locate the beach also drives paintings that reward a second look.

His client work spans three continents, but Potter is deeply rooted in South Florida. The local light, architecture, and coastline influence every map, mural, and canvas equally.

The Current Focus

Potter's growing focus on fine art is not a retreat from technology. It's a response to what technology is becoming. As AI potentially absorbs more commercial work, he's making paintings that need both a computer and a human touch. These works couldn't be made without either.

Availability

John Potter is currently available for:

• Fine Art: Sales and custom commissions
• Map Making: Custom maps for marinas, resorts, events and other projects
• Illustration: Spanning covers, institutional, editorial, and mural illustration