Featured AAC Artist Series: John O’Neill

The Arts Council Virtual Art Gallery Series Featuring AAC Artist: John O’Neill

John L. O’Neill
A life-long Maryland resident John O’Neill is a professional artist whose art explores our State’s reputation as “America in Miniature”. He also has traveled the eastern seaboard to explore the tidewater beauty of our surrounding states.

His work has been displayed in multiple exhibits at BWI- Thurgood Marshall Airport, Anne Arundel Medical Center, and other area group shows in the Annapolis area. One man shows include the Maritime Museum in Annapolis, 49 West gallery- Annapolis, the Main and Market- Annapolis , the Sir Walter Raleigh Inn-Greenbelt and the Federal Courthouse Atrium in Greenbelt, MD. “Stay the Course”, a painting of Spinnakers on the Severn was selected as the Hospice Cup Regatta’s signature piece and was auctioned off at the shore party. Another piece, “Cherry Blossom Madness” was used as the signature piece for the “What’s Up? Media” show for the “Colors of spring” exhibit.

A graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art with a Major in Art Education and a minor in Fine Arts, his prior education included St. Edward’s and Loyola High School. Throughout those early years, to the dismay of the nuns, priests and parents, John loved to draw. Nobody recognized that this hobby would become his life’s work. After high school, he tried a variety of jobs that could use his artistic abilities. Such as the Baltimore Sun Papers, Department stores and Advertising agencies. In his mid- 20s, he enrolled at MICA taking on a full- time class load and working nights in a coffee plant to support his young family. John never wavered in his decision to attend MICA. He loved it.

On receipt of a BFA degree he became an art teacher in Baltimore County and A. A. County.
During this period, John managed to pursue his post graduate work and received a Master’s Equivalency from Trinity College, Anne Arundel County Workshops and MICA.

Forever restless, he left teaching to start a graphic design/arts business. During this period there were many massive artistic challenges for a wide variety of clients. To be as brief as possible…Hand Lettering on everything, Screen Printing, Murals, Illustrations, Graphic Design for anything that went to print.

He joyfully returned to teaching in 1988. For 20 years he was Art Department Chair and teacher at Meade High School, which afforded him the chance to concentrate on his love of the Fine Arts.

Despite the demands of teaching and chairmanship, he received his certification in the National AP Studio Art Program. John was also invited to attend The School of The Art Institute of Chicago’s Teacher Institute in Contemporary Art, which awarded a Certificate for 60 hours of studio, research and lecture.

Retired from teaching, John continues to pursue his art. Producing landscapes, portraits, still life paintings and drawings. Two years ago, he finished designing, illustrating and directing the publication of a book for children called “How to be a Hero From A to Z”. Available at Amazon.

Website:
John O’Neill Fine Art

Contact John for any purchase inquiries:
[email protected]

Scroll down to see a few selected pieces of John’s work along with the details for each piece. 

(From Left to Right)

Hibiscus Colors
Oil on Canvas
24”x30”
$500

Work Boats at Kent Narrows
Oil on Canvas
24”x30”
$650

We Got Your Back, Kid (featured in the Arts Council BWI exhibit “All Things in Small & Big”)
Oil on Canvas
40″x30″
$700

November Sky (featured in the Arts Council What’s Up? Media exhibit “Bright as Day, Dark as Night”)
Oil on Canvas
40″x30″
$850

Waterman’s Necessities (featured in the Arts Council What’s Up? Media exhibit “Bright as Day, Dark as Night”)
Oil on Canvas
20″x16″
$300

Cherry Blossom Madness (featured in the What’s Up? Media exhibit “Bright Colors of Spring”)
Oil on Canvas
30″x24″
$700

Photo gallery