I was born in Munhall, PA and grew up in Dormont. I am proud to be a Pittsburgher, having lived in the South Side since 1986, then moved into our victorian home on the Slopes in 1992 which I restored with my wife Maria.
I tended bar at Mario's from 1986-2006, it fueled my art career, but now I paint full time and sell my art at Johno's ART Studio perched on top of the historic South Side Slopes.
Beginning at the age of 13 and after 10 years of suffering with ulcerative colitis I had life saving surgery and now wear a permanent ileostomy. While recuperating from surgery I studied art, many of the old masters who inspired me to begin painting as a form of therapy.
My paintings had been selling, after my first showing at the Pittsburgh Aviary Wildlife Art Show the demand for my work grew. I create each painting by mixing enamels and Mon sand, giving my artwork an unusual texture. Sand from client's collections is often incorporated into their commissioned pieces.
The fascinating people I meet, current events and life experiences inspire me. One of my most inspiring commissions sent me to Megjugorje, Yugoslavia in 1990. The challenge was to transfer onto canvas my feelings of the little village where there have been reported sightings of the Blessed Mother.
Many of my paintings can be purchased as limited edition prints. 5 of my prints are part of the Pittsburgh Collection at the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
The Heinz Field original hangs in the office lobby at Heinz Field. The original Adam Taliaferro-Miracle in the Making painting hangs in the Sports Museum at Penn State,
and my Hollyhocks print was on the set of NBC's Will & Grace finale May 2006.
Former President George H.W.Bush Sr. 41st President of the USA discovered my art and contacted the studio to commission a portrait. I created the painting with enamels, Rust-O-leum and South Side sand!
My painting of President George H.W.Bush Sr. is currently on display at:
The George Bush Presidential Library & Museum at Texas A&M.
For years I have been involved with many local and national charities raising much needed funds for their causes. It is important for me to "give back", my art enables me to help others in a unique way. I simply didn't plan any of this. All I had was the will to live, to do well and help others. I am so very grateful for this fantastic ride.
Johno's limited edition prints and originals are available
on the prints/gallery pages.
OPEN THURSDAYS Noon-6PM
otherwise Studio hours are by chance or appointment. Sports paintings, Enamel, Sand Art, Sand, Pittsburgh Skyline, Portraits, Limited Edition Prints, Commissioned Paintings, Unique textured paintings
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