The ARTS Gallery

John J. Acker

Landscape Artist

He began drawing as soon as he could hold a pencil, his developmental years spent in the New York Metropolitan area, and completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from William Paterson College. During the 1960s-70s, he was heavily influenced by the New York City art scene of Pop and OP art, as well as the Avant Guard. The challenge of the time was to create unique and/or shocking artwork. He constructed large shaped canvasses, with hard edged color using acrylics. Years later John would find his true passion for landscape, and those who became most influential on him were the White Mountain Painters of the 19th Century. 

He found his way there in a most circuitous manner, as his adult children feeling that he was putting too much into his occupation, felt inspired to buy him a kayak. At the same time he had become acquainted with the history of the White Mountains, how they were saved from destruction by the Weeks Act, and the vital role played by the landscape artists of the late 1800s helping people to see and understand their intrinsic value.

 John has lived in Alaska, California, Florida, Texas, and Utah, and took up residence in Europe for a couple years. He came to live in Wolfeboro, left only to return to New Hampshire, but this time to the White Mountains, where he intends on staying.  

 “I have a great love for the beauty provided to us by nature, but it is also remarkable what people have done with it. The rich history of Northern New England combines scenic splendor with human stories of their connection to it.”  In John’s artwork we are taken to places where we can both lose ourselves and find ourselves. Some say, “We haven’t been to these places, while we feel as if we recognize them.”  He captures a moment in time when we can appreciate what we see. He said, “The greatest complement I can be given is when someone says, ‘I want to be able to do that…’ and I want them to. It starts with an appreciation for what you see, which enables you to see more and more. Painting enhances your sense of wonder as you intuitively connect.” John is an advocate for nature when he says, “We need more landscape painters, as the time is approaching when two thirds of the population of the earth will be living in urban settings, and likely hooked up to electronic devises. Teaching people through our artwork how to see and appreciate this natural world will be critical to its survival.”