John Simmons

I was born and grew up in Adelaide, the third child of six children. My father, a railway man from Port Lincoln was a  storyteller who delighted in drawing images of the sailing ships he scrambled over in his youth. My passion for art, the bush and things maritime I am sure, came from him.

Looking back over my tertiary studies to be a teacher, subjects related to art, I found the most absorbing and enjoyable.

As a young man, I was fascinated by the large and galleries around Adelaide, and later while travelling overseas I’ve continually inspired by the magnificent art in the great galleries in  the places that I visit .

When I retired in 2007, after 40 years with The Education Department, as teacher and Principal, I began taking lessons with John Ford [Maritime Artist  Port Adelaide] and  built myself a “studio”.  I still enjoy participating in Kaz Pederson’s workshops at Port community Arts Centre, and regularly exhibit.

I work in watercolour, acrylic, oil, pastel, depending on place and purpose. My subjects are from maritime themes, iconic destinations that I have visited and the Flinders Ranges, which I first captivated me as a bushwalker there in 1967, and continues to do so.

It is the colours, shapes, line and vibrancy in what I see that attracts me. I paint images which are not ultra realistic copies, but which do capture mood, colour and movement through bold lines and powerful tones.

Contact Details

John Simmons

johnjansimmons@bigpond.com

379 Lady Gowrie Drive, Osborne SA 5017

Mobile No. 0400 257427