JOHN L HUMPHREYS ART
For information on available original art, prints, and commissioned art,
please visit the Contact page.
Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 60
"John L. Humphreys is an abstract artist and designer from Del Rio, Texas and resides in Dallas. He has a Master of Architecture degree from Texas A&M University and studied art and art history as part of the curriculum.
Specializing in acrylic on canvas abstract paintings, Humphreys is inspired by many years of work as both an architect and interior designer, which lend him strength in visualization. Depth of color, attention to detail, perception of scale and emotional response to movement, as well as flexibility and adaptability to design and execution, all contribute to the artistic expression of his work. Ultimately, his abstract paintings create images that encourage personal interpretation by stimulating one's imagination while enhancing both space and style.
Paintings range in size from 30 by 40 to 48 by 60 inches. Larger canvases are also available. Commissions are accepted, and color palette, texture, technique and composition are given careful consideration in creating a special abstract to be enjoyed for years to come. Quality of materials, finish details and a wide range of techniques are ever present in his paintings." ...Dallas Style & Design, Summer 2018 Issue, 6/6/18
DESIGN | FINE ART
By Alaena Hostetter
AESTHETIC ACROBATICS
John L. Humphreys is an Abstract Artist and an Architectural and Interior Designer
John L. Humphreys, has many plates spinning at all times. Since 2015, his abstract acrylic paintings add yet another dimension to a 30+ year career in architecture, commercial and residential interior design, general contracting, and now art. The vision of art and its incorporation throughout a project is a key consideration in his designs.
Art is ever present in architectural design through the geometry of a space, location of a window to capture a spectacular view, and wall placement. A client tells of his observations made during an extensive remodel of a Dallas midcentury residence, “I now understand that John approaches spatial design much like an evolving sculpture.”
Humphreys’ abstract contemporary work is large in scale, reaching six-by-six feet in dimension or even larger when part of a series. His paintings are at times dark and intense, featuring rich, deep tones interplaying with shadows and textures, and at other times, very ethereal, light and airy in color and technique. “With each painting, I have an initial idea as to where I’m headed and with each stroke of the brush, contrast and shape begin to form its own life. The ultimate goal is for a patron to experience an emotional response to the painting, not just the color palette. There will always be a special place for that painting even with a physical change in environment.” He recently completed a collection of paintings for a local hotel and individual pieces for homes in Texas, California, Michigan, Montana, and New York.
For a commissioned painting, Humphreys is accustomed to making a site visit to experience the impact of lighting, exterior environment, room usage, and even the surrounding textures. In addition to adapting his style on each canvas, Humphreys takes into account the interaction of his art within the entire project (not just the room for which he’s creating a painting). “The client wants me to see, design, and execute what they do not necessarily see themselves, but what they want to feel in a completed space. “I consider sight lines from the moment you walk in the door. Every turn you make is important, and art is placed accordingly in an impact location,” he says.
Humphreys says client satisfaction is paramount and he'll do whatever it takes to earn their business on any given project. This extends to some rather unusual requests. When Humphreys was engaged to demolish and redesign a hunting cabin on a ranch in West Texas, the demolition team unearthed a rattlesnake den under the property, which housed dozens of the reptiles. His client requested that Humphreys locate the new cabin exactly where it was before, on the site of the den—the vistas from the peak of the rolling topography were too good to leave behind. Humphreys designed an elevated cabin to deter the reptiles from access and also designed interior furnishings that eliminated hiding places should one slip through the door. “We spent a great deal of time trying to design around the creepy snakes,” Humphreys says with a laugh.
“I strive for effortless communication between a designer and/or architect and me as an artist by calling on personal experiences in similar situations”, Humphreys explains. He invites interested parties—whether they’re home and business owners, or designers and architects—to check out his work either on his website, in person at Stacy Coulter & Associates and Pettigrew Luxury Furnishings, or by appointment.
Alaena Hostetter is a Dallas-based journalist who writes about all of her favorite things: art, fashion, culture, music, entertainment, and food.