John MacDonald - Expressions of the Natural World

MacDonald is dedicated to his ever changing practice. He sees his work as a constant state of flux, developing as on the canvas from a myriad of different influences. These inspirational forces are buried in his deeply layered works in a practice that extends from painting into sculpture at his latest show at the San Juan Islands Art Museum.

Growing up in Prince George, B.C, MacDonald was one of few children interested in art. The art museum in his hometown town was merely a house when he lived there, which led him to seek the natural world as a major influence for his work. As a result, MacDonald was constantly creating and especially loved making things from salvaged materials. At 11 years old he built himself a studio to work in attached to his father’s shed and has continued to work ever since. “Anything can inspire me to do or create something”, the artist states. MacDonald’s work cannot be characterized by a single style. Rather, it is the artist’s desire for constant innovation that creates bodies of work that are informed by those before and inspire those that come after.