“John's talent for creating emotion through his use of color and texture in his paintings is evident. He successfully challenges people's conceptions of blindness, ultimately finding that painting gives him a meaningful opportunity to connect to others.”
– Governor Rick Perry

I was born in 1971 in El Paso Texas, but have lived most of my life around the Dallas area. I am currently a student at the University of North Texas where I am pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. My drawing and painting is self taught. Art to me is expression, and because of this there is no bad art. I enjoy the way some people express themselves in paint, or words or other media more than others, but I sincerely believe that one’s preference for a person’s art over another does not make that art any better or worse. I think what speaks to me may not speak to you and vice versa. I suppose this means that I will never be an art critic, but that’s okay – while I like to talk about art it is far more fulfilling to actually create it.
I think art is important because it is one of the few ways that we humans can produce something that has a meaningful effect on another’s life. Art does not feed or clothe us, but it gives us a connection with our fellow man that we cannot live without. When I read a book or take in some art I feel like I am getting to know the artist in a very real way and through them myself. It is ironic to me that while most art is done in solitude it is ultimately a public benefit.Resume

Education
Graduated with honors from the University of North Texas. Scheduled to attend Toulouse School of Graduate studies in 2008.

Solo Exhibitions
2007, Aug 1 – December. Loophole. Denton, TX.
2007, Aug 1 – September 8. Gallery On The Lake. Lake Charles, LA
2006, Sep 23. Wheels Ink – Texas Jive. Denton, TX
2006, Apr 26 – May 18. Wine Squared. Denton, TX.
2006, Feb 2. Wheels Ink - Texas Jive. Denton, TX.
2005, Sept – Oct. Marshall Business Center. Marshall, TX.
2005, Jan – Feb. Art 6. Denton, Tx.
2005, Aug 26 - Sept. 29. Marshall Visual Arts Center. Marshall, TX.
2005, July 18 - August 17. University Union Art Gallery. Denton, TX.
2005, June 15.Wheels Ink - Texas Jive, Denton, TX.Group Exhibitions
2007, Apr. AMS Productions. Dallas, TX
2007, Apr. VSA & DARS, Austin, TX.
2007, March 25-30. DARS. Austin, TX
2006, Oct 2 – 19. In the Mind’s Eye – Hereford Gallery. Arlington, TX
2005, Oct 10. White Cane Day. Austin, TX.
2005, Oct.- Nov. VSA Arts of Texas, "Labor Of Love" Harlingen, Denton & Austin, TX.
2004. FWCAC Biennial: 39 Hour Show, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Fort Worth, Texas

Demonstrations – Community Outreach
2007, President’s Volunteer service Award
2007, Special Arts Festival. Garland, TX
2007, July, 31. TAVAC. Lecture.
2007, June 1. DARS – Keynote Speaker.
2007,May 31. FFL – Lecture.
2007, May 31. FFL - Workshop
2007, Apr. 20. Barbara Jordan Media Awards. Corpus Christi, TX.
2007. Mar. 26. Plano Arts Center. Art Talk (Plano, TX)
2006, Oct. 21. Dallas Mayor’s Committee Gala
2006, October 12. Proclamation by Mayor Herbert Gears presented to me making October Disability month for Irving.
2006, Oct. 12 Poster signing. Irving, TX.
2006, President’s Volunteer Service Award
2006, Sep 30. 2006 Disability Expo. Garland, TX
2006, Sep 27. Proclamation by Govenor Rick Perry.
2006, Apr 29. Barbara Jordan Awards. Dallas, TX.
2006, Jan 29. VSA Arts Festival. Plano, TX.
2005, Sept 28. Marshall High School – Honor’s Program. Marshall, TX.
2005, Sept 27. Boys and Girls Club. Marshall, TX.
2005, Sept 27. Trinity Elementary – 3rd, 4th, & 5th grades. Marshall, TX.
2005, President’s Volunteer Service Award
2005, June 21. Reach Conference
2005, April 29- May 1. “Art Break Shreveport.” Shreveport, LA.

News coverage – Documentary
The following coverage reflects only when stories were originally published and not the instances they were picked up on the news wire, broadcast by an affiliate or re-run by the original news source.
2007, December 11. Orato
2007 Featured Video - YouTube
2007, November. SBC - Korean National Television
2007, Obtober. BBC Radio
2007, Aug. 6. American Press. (Southwest, LA)
2007, April 17. “Blind Ambitions” with Mark Marvel. 1hr. ACB Radio
2007, April/May. Lifted Magazine (National)
2007, March 1. Good News Now (Plano, TX)
2007, February 18. Plano Insider (Plano, TX) – Front Page
2007, January. HDTV Art of Living (National).
2007, January. Plano Profile Magazine (Plano, TX)
2006, December 16. HDTV National News Channel – 4 segments (National).
2006, November 26. Dallas Morning News – Front Page.
2006, November 25. Denton Record Chronicle – Front Page.
2006, November. Volare - Magazine. Texas.
2006, October 27. Denton Record Chronicle (Denton, TX).
2006, October 21. Dallas Mayor’s committee Gala - “Dallas” painting Presentation
2006, October. VSA Newsletter (Texas).
2006, October. Beyond Boundaries (Texas).
2006, October 5. The Shorthorn (Arlington).
2006, May 14. Texas Country Reporter.
2006, May 10. KPFT, Scotty McClymonds (Houston).
2006, April. Team Talk (Plano, TX).
2006, April 13. The Beat (Denton, TX).
2006, March 22. North Texas Daily (Denton, TX).
2005. Denton Times Magazine (Denton, TX).
2005, August 28. News Journal (Longview, TX).
2005 Jan 2, North Texas Daily (Denton, TX)
2005, May 2. The Times (Shreveport, LA).
2005, July 21. Denton Record Chronicle
2005, July. Ft. Worth Star Telegram – Front Page.
2005. ABC – KTVT. News Story.
2005. CBS - WFAA. News Story
2005. Documentary – Mika Ferris “Bramblitt.”