Fine Art Portfolio: Original Paintings and Drawings
I cater primarily to collectors and businesses.
Interior design and private commission inquiries welcome.
A Studio Practice in Two Parts
My fine art work runs alongside my illustration and design studio, and each side makes the other stronger. I am driven by a deep curiosity about visual language. Materials, composition, and process come together in my paintings to make a statement that feels both unique and true. I approach each canvas with a methodical mindset, solving artistic challenges like a series of problems. This approach gives me the freedom to experiment while keeping a clear destination in sight.
Craft Built Daily
I believe skills grow through steady practice. Figure drawing workshops keep my foundational abilities sharp, much like an athlete who trains daily. Graphite is my primary tool for drawing. Paintings are another story. I shift between traditional brushes, airbrush, and paint sprayers depending on what the work demands. Large murals call for something bolder and more dynamic. The scale itself reshapes the method.
Made to Be Seen in Person
Photographs never tell the full story. They capture the image but miss the surface details, the layered materials, and the texture you can almost feel. My paintings are objects first and pictures second. My design background naturally influences the composition, and I enjoy work that sits in the space between fine art and graphic design. Other projects call for a more direct illustrative voice. I let the commission guide the way.
Work That Finds a Home
I am proud to have work in private collections and public spaces alike. Collectors, designers, and institutions who value contemporary art make excellent collaborators. My goal is simple. I want to make work that feels meaningful and built to last. Each original piece and each custom commission receives the same careful attention. The result is art with presence and a tangible sense of craftsmanship.
Inquiries and Commissions
If you are interested in acquiring an existing painting or discussing something made just for you, I invite you to view my current portfolio. I welcome conversations with collectors, galleries, interior designers, and anyone seeking fine art that brings depth and character to a space. Prices for available work range starting at around two hundred USD.
Previous Show:
PAINTINGS:
MURALS:
BLACK AND WHITE WORK:
CUSTOM HALFTONES:
TESTIMONIALS:
James C. McLane III P.E.
Oil Painting
Testimonial: I purchased one of John Potters great paintings a couple of years ago. This oil on canvas picture is a large, half life-sized image of an Astronaut back in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle performing a repair on the Hubble Space Telescope. I work as an engineer in a Space Suit lab in Houston Texas, and when I saw this work I was blown away by its attention to accuracy. Potters style trends to relatively substantial brush strokes, but somehow the final product seems very, very detailed. The colors he uses are extremely faithful representations of the scene. From a respectful viewing distance, the painting looks photo realistic, but the viewer knows full well its obviously not a photograph, but the results from the labored efforts of a master artist. I cannot express how satisfied I am with this particular image.
James C. McLane III P.E.
Houston Texas
Boca Grove Country Club
Mural Painting, Character Design, Logo Design, Illustration....
Testimonial: We are so in love with our new mascot/logo. The design is unique and truly captured the essence of our Country Club. Potter was wonderful and seemed to read our mind when it came to changes and suggestions. Truly a pleasure to work with.
Boca Grove Country Club
Susan Grantham
Book Cover Design and Illustration, Illustration, Painting
Testimonial: Absolutely every project I have worked with on John has been a success. I have used his talent and services from paintings, to book covers, to technical drawings. Everyone who see's his work comments on the quality and creativity. While still working in editing and publishing, I used him whenever he was available.
Susan Grantham,
Associate Professor at University of Hartford
PORTFOLIOS
- Illustration Portfolio: Start here for custom illustration and book covers. You can also browse illustrated maps and architectural rendering.
- Fine Art: I offer original paintings and drawings, including my Custom Halftone Series. You will also find mural work here.
- Graphic Design & Motion: View my graphic design portfolio. After that, explore motion design and animated illustrations.
- Maps by application: I create illustrated maps for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation, transit and parking, towns and cities, parks, and wayfinding.
- Additional project types: I also produce cover illustration, vehicle and vinyl wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Illustration methods: My techniques include vector, isometric and axonometric, painting, black and white, GeoData maps, overhead maps, and custom halftones.
- Software portfolios: I work primarily in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and Adobe InDesign. For motion projects, I use Premiere Pro and After Effects. You can watch my demo reel here.