John Potter - One Night Only

"Halftones" - Contemporary Painting Series

Artist: John Potter

Come join us for a special evening showcasing the artwork of John Potter. Experience the mesmerizing beauty of his unique halftone creations at this one-night-only event. Don't miss your chance to immerse yourself in the world of halftones at 817 NE 4th Ave in the beautiful Canvas Films Studio. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable artistic experience!

Free admission
The public is welcome
November 29, 2025
One Night Only
6:00PM-10:00PM
817 NE 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304

HALFTONES - A Series of Paintings by John Potter:

Halftones are a method of making an image using dots, lines or some other pattern. This technology was developed in the 1800s to reproduce black and white images with the appearance that they have grey areas while only using black ink.

Example of a black and white halftone

Halftones are a technique for creating images using dots, lines, or other repeating patterns. Developed in the 1800s, this method was designed to reproduce black-and-white images with the illusion of gray tones while using only black ink.

If you look closely at a black-and-white photograph in a newspaper or magazine, especially through a magnifying glass, you’ll notice that the image is made up of countless tiny dots. This is an example of optical illusion used to make things perceptible rather than confusing as you usually see in examples like the blue/gold dress memes or the famous rabbit/duck drawing.

While dots are the most common form of halftone, other patterns can also be used. Originally, halftones were created through photographic processes, but today they can be created digitally. This shift to digital tools has opened the door to a wide range of creative experimentation without the prohibitive waste and cost of traditional materials.

In this body of work, I’ve used the concept of halftones as a unifying theme. I explored a variety of patterns, methods, and scales, using them in unconventional and inventive ways.

These works could be considered Semi Abstract or Op art, which is accurate, but if that is the case almost every black and white photo printed in a book, magazine or newspaper is also Semi Abstract or Op art. In fact, every man made image of the world around us is an illusion on some level.

Your eyes are a perception device to help you understand the world around you. We seldom think about the limits of their accuracy. We "trust our own eyes", but what they are really showing isn't necessarily everything there is to see.