In Pursuit of Passion
Throughout his life John Sherry had the desire to create art, but it wasn’t until years later—and just a few years ago—that he finally began his artistic pursuits. “I had this weird thought that I didn’t want to be on my deathbed regretfully wondering if I could have been an artist,” Sherry says. “My mother was a professional artist so I had that exposure and appreciation for art and someone [close to me] being an artist from early childhood. She painted mostly abstract art, and I think that may have given me a natural willingness to take chances with my art and paint outside the lines.”
Working in pastel, Sherry has developed a style that he calls “rugged realism.” That begins with taking photographs that he later recomposes and crops for future paintings. In the studio he jumps directly into painting rather than spending time making value studies or thumbnails sketches. He cites an artist teacher who once said, “It’s only paper,” allowing him to remember that the artwork evolves.
He began his journey with landscapes, but soon transitioned to still lifes of fruit, birds and other ordinary items. That has morphed into an interest in larger objects, like trucks, buildings and trains; it’s almost as if the merging of his two interests gave way to images of everyday moments. He explains, “I find for myself a joy in taking some mundane, overlooked or discarded item of everyday life and making it interesting, hopefully even compelling, through art.”
However, Sherry is open to his subject matter continuing to change and he explores artistic instincts as they arise. He says, “I think it is good to be restless as an artist and to never stop expanding and learning.” —Rochelle Belsito
contact informationjohnsherryart.com
representationLayor Art, Bend, OR
This story appeared in the December 2025/January 2026 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Subscribe today to read every issue in its entirety.
The post Artist to Watch | John Sherry appeared first on Southwest Art Magazine.