We recently connected with JOHN MACARTHUR and have shared our conversation below.
JOHN, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
The “imposter syndrome” is never really conquered. Anyone that says they have conquered it are actually describing a period of time when the syndrome is dormant. There is no actual scientific explanation of what causes the dormant periods, but just when you think you have beaten it into submission, it raises it’s ugly head and takes a large bite out of your self confidence.
Here’s an example of the roller coaster ride an artist takes. I was commissioned to do artwork for the 2002 and 2003 Preakness Stakes. That was some pretty heady company I was joining. In the summer of 2003, I was rejected by 3 consecutive art shows. The Preakness high dissipated and I knew I really had no talent and the Maryland jockey club just used me because I was cheap.
I was invited to discuss the 2004 Preakness artwork needs. I went. I sat at the table and really didn’t hear much of anything. My mind kept roaring… you are a fraud and everyone at this table knows it. I turned down the opportunity because I didn’t want to embarass myself “again” by sharing my work that publicly.
As recently as three weeks ago, I was invited to participate in a large art event. It was a two day event. I set up my tent, hung my art and sat down to read a book. Reading never had a chance. My little booth was full all day, both days. I sold 15 pieces of art. Ah, I am not a fraud came to mind and for at least a day or two, I had beaten the imposter syndrome into submission. It will return, but then I will keep painting anyway.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Je suis artiste. Ah, every story has a beginning. Let’s start there! A child prodigy. At the age of four he began wielding a brush. A tragic accident at home left him confined to a stroller while he rehabilitated. Unable to run and play, he began drawing and coloring on newsprint paper his father brought home from work. As soon as he could walk, he was outside mixing colors and making paint. He began experimenting with natural objects creating pigment. He learned to draw with Jon Gnagy and Nicolaides. As an young teen, one of his first portraits was admired by President Kennedy. Before he reached the age of twenty, he became one of the infamous “Artists of Jackson Square” in New Orleans. Then, as with most child prodigies, he vanished from the art scene.
It would be almost 25 years before he appeared again. He began painting and selling art again. Once again, his work was sought after. The Governor of Maryland’s wife collected a painting at a show in The Governor’s Mansion in Annapolis. Then, the Maryland Jockey Club commissioned him to do the promotional artwork for the 2002 and 2003 Preakness Stakes. He created artwork for the Marriot Corporation, Ingram Entertainment, Providence Hospital, America On Line (AOL), First American, the Spy Museum and several other businesses large and small.
In the midst of this commercial revival, he opened MacArthur Studio. The first location was in Laurel, Md. He then moved to Aspen Hill, Md before finally moving to his current location in Rockville Maryland. His commercial work came to an end and his art became the talk of the town. The last ten years have been yet another awakening as he has entered shows and events throughout the state. The walls of his studio now feature over 20 first place ribbons awarded by various judges in shows he has entered.
Beginning in 2016, he began annual trips to Europe and visited France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. His passion was rejuvenated. He traveled from Paris to Aix, from Provence to Rome, Cinque Terra to Borano, Bruge to Amsterdam, His art took on a new zest and once again the world is discovering John MacArthur.
He continues to remain active at 77 years of age and just this year (2022) has won another 9 first place ribbons out of 18 shows entered. He has ventured into the interweb and believes with just a little more practice he will produce better art.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Everyone’s journey is different, but there are similar qualities in every successful journey. Love what you are pursuing. Simply said, for me, I love art. I love looking at art. I love creating art. I love when another looks at my art and feels it too. While I have had literally over 50 “careers”, I never stopped painting. Keep doing what you are pursuing even if it has to be done part-time. Another quality found in successful journeys is the ability to ignore those that doubt you (see imposter syndrome causes). Believe you will reach your goal. I use morning admonitions. For me, they work. I tell myself I will become a master, I will master the skills necessary to actually communicate with large audiences with my art. I may not be there yet, but I am a day closer and that is ok. A skill that will serve you well, regardless of pursuit, steal everything you can from those more skilled than you. Mirror those you admire. As an artist, I recreate master’s paintings again and again to develop the brush work, composition and color they used. I spend time in art galleries all over the world studying the work of famous artists. Now, before you cry out, that’s wrong, you have to do it your way, realize that professionals in every sport attempt to mimic the greats. If they got from where you are to where they finished, you can too.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Regardless of talent, art does not just happen. I am where I am today because I was able to stand on the shoulders of so many artists that practiced before me. Long before Google, we used World Book Encyclopedias to study and learn. The door to door salesman wasn’t just selling information. He was selling dreams that included history, geography and styles. I devoured those books in a feast of learning and inspiration. Books only serve as a stepping stone to more in-depth learning from Masters.
My high school art teacher, Mrs. Davila, was my first real instructor. Patient, kind and innovative, she taught the basic steps of creating art. A half century later, every piece of work I create is tempered with her instruction. Her shoulders are always beneath my feet.
Another instructor I studied with was Cy Mohr. He was a cross between a Fauvist and Folk Artist. He gave me the joy of color, bright, bold and “electric”. He felt a successful piece of art should share joy. While he was a renowned artist, he remained modest and encouraging. He never judged a process or completed piece of art. Cy would only point and ask “why”. Every brush stroke is either intentional or subconsciously the result of some motivation. “Why” is forever my question when painting. His shoulders are always beneath my feet.
More recently I have had the opportunity to study with Glen Kessler. He is the founder of the Compass Atelier in Rockville, MD. Glen is patient yet softly demanding. His guidance has always been thorough. Another advocate of color, he created a easy to use “color wheel” system to aid in perfecting the right color mix using minimal pigments. A keen observer of the world around him, his work is amazing. A son, a husband, a father and a friend describes Glen. He is also a motivator and gently demanding instructor. The results speak for themselves as many of his students are highly regarded artist today. His shoulders are always beneath my feet.
Companionship often unfolds into learning. Alison Menke invited me to go paint with her. A day at a lake turned into an amazing opportunity for observational learning. Like a maestro before an orchestra, she waves her brush until the moment is right and then lays down beautiful expressive brush strokes. Her personality draws you in and you discover that she is one of the kindest people on the planet. Always encouraging. Critiquing work, she finds the good and the bad but always sees the joy. We continue to cross paths and she always has time to chat and discuss processes she uses in creating. Her shoulders are always beneath my feet.
I would be terribly remiss if I failed to acknowledge Gavin Glakas. He offers classes via the Yellow Barn in Glen Echo, MD. He also has become very adept at using Zoom to teach various courses. His style of teaching is conversational. Why did you do that? What if you tried to do this? Can you see how this portion does not work? How do you think you can improve it? The conversations are intimate and on point. He never disparages an effort. Gavin guides and prompts and is a terrific cheerleader as you progress. His work hangs in the halls of Congress and in more offices of prominent people than I could mention. Despite that success, his manner is modest and accepting. Another son, another husband, another dad and another friend. His shoulders are always beneath my feet.
So, while I may be an individual. I may be a working artist. I may have 50 years of my journey complete. None of it would exist without the efforts of artists since the beginning of time, nor would I be where I am without the guidance of those mentioned. My work is in many ways theirs with a strong dose of me.
To close, while you may or may not appreciate my efforts, I am forever thankful for so my shoulders to stand on.
Contact Info:
- Website: jmacsart.com
- Instagram: @jmacsays
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmacsartpage
