The Artist
JOHN MACDONALD - PROFILE
Born and educated in Glasgow, John attended the renowned Glasgow School of Art whilst working at one of the city's top advertising and design studios. He later moved to London and then Manchester pursuing a career in advertising and marketing, opening his own business and collecting international design awards from his work as Creative Director.
In 1990 he moved to rural Cumbria giving him the chance to dedicate his time to his love of painting animal, both wild, domestic and of course, people portraits, capturing the life and character of his subjects beyond the physical. Also, as a formally trained artist John's work reflects meticulous attention to detail, executed with controlled fluency as well as that emotional response. As a result of exhibitions and commissions his paintings hang in many private collections around the world.
John has become intensely interested in collaborating with the elements by the combination of natural materials foraged from the land and sea - creatively joining recycled glass, fashioned by humans from the earth's sand and minerals, altered by the perpetual action of the waves, to the remains of once roaming land creatures. The result - stunning, unique art pieces with a local connection. Human endeavours, the land's bounty and the sea's offerings brought together with skill and imagination.