John Traynor (born 1961) spent his early years in Chester and Mendham New Jersey. His art studies began at Delbarton School in Morristown New Jersey; from there he went to Paier College of Art in New Haven Connecticut, startingat the age of 16. He studied figure painting at the Art Students League of New York, as a merit scholar, with Frank Mason, as well as landscape painting with Mason in Vermont. John followed his studies with Mason by spending a year studying sculpture in Italy.
Having completed his studies by the time he was 20 years old, John was determined to become a professional artist. As an unknown artist John started selling his paintings at outdoor art shows, in the Northeast where he was able to meet collectors in person. This exposure opened opportunities with galleries
Traynor has won numerous awards including the Frank Dumont award from the Hudson Valley Art Association and the Medal of Honor from the Salmagundi Club of which he is an honorary member. John was also recently inducted into the Delbarton School Hall of Honors and he has reached the level of Copley Master from the Copley Society of Boston. John has made numerous painting expeditions to Ireland as well as trips to Holland, Italy, France, Hawaii and many locations across the United States. John currently resides in southern New Hampshire in a quaint New England village with his wife Liz. Their home is surrounded by many gardens that inspire John’s paintings.
John is a painter of every genre: landscape, still life and portraiture, and in style he blends realism and atmospheric impressionism. Part of the good feeling he gets with his painting is connecting emotionally with others in that people are often reminded of moments in their life or memories of the past. John is inspired by the nature he sees around him whether it is the flowers from his gardens, people in his life or the landscape outdoors.
Traynor’s interpretation of his subject matter is influenced from artists of the past. His use of light and atmospheric effect are found in many of the old master paintings such as the American tonality painters and the French Impressionist artists. There is a richness and fullness to his work that is ‘old world’ yet contemporary with his unique style.
Submitted by Lauren Waterman, assistant to the artist.
