John Schuyler was born in New York in 1965. He began experimenting with various painting techniques in the late 1990's. As he explored the possibilities, Schuyler became absorbed in the texture created by different applications of paint and mixed media to his canvas.

As his captivation with texture progressed, the content and form of his paintings became simpler. Color studies replaced traditional forms of content in his pieces, and the balance and contrast of color became the second focal point of his paintings.

Schuyler works in a process of layering, pouring, scraping off, scratching into the surface, leaving traces of earlier information, a build up and overlap of successive stages which ask that the viewers attention continually adjusts in order to consider the various perceptual possibilities within the subject.

The paintings reveal themselves slowly, asking you to explore each successive layer underneath and to examine the relationship between space and depth, presence and absence.

Schuyler's unconventional approach culminates in paintings that leave a powerful impression on the viewer. His rough texture alludes to a passionate physicality while its simplicity in form reflects a cool logic, a balance inherent in all his pieces.

"The biggest difference is my approach," says Schuyler. "Rather than undertake each painting with a predetermined idea of the outcome, I've started to let the pieces unfold on it's own and, as a result, the work has come to me a lot easier."

Schuyler says he has experienced an epiphany in letting the process guide him in revealing the painting, rather than "painting" the painting.

Inspired by what he describes as his day-to-day environment, Schuyler's studio is designed for promoting serenity and concentration. He hopes this soothing and sense of calm and control translate into his work.

"Ultimately and ideally, says Schuyler, I hope each viewer takes away his or her own strong feeling from my work and that the pieces somehow resonate on a unconscious level with them".

ABOUT

QUICK LINKS

SUBSCRIBE