John
Fawcett was born in 1952 and grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Although his family lived in town, they kept horses nearby.
After his father challenged him to raise half the cost, a ten year
old Fawcett became the proud owner of a mare, Copper, purchased
for $150.00. In tandem with his passion for horses, was a
desire to draw and paint. "I was always really
interested in art and my parents were very supportive, but I
didn't have any formal art training. All through high
school, college and vet school, I did artwork for student
newspapers and yearbooks, but I never considered art for a
career." Instead, he studied pre-veterinary medicine at
the University of New Hampshire and received his doctorate at Iowa
State University in 1978. After working for both an equine
and small animal veterinarian, he opened up his own veterinary
practice in 1980 in Pennsylvania where he practiced for the next
20 years. As his practice grew to a total of 5
veterinarians, his passion for art grew as well, and he sold his
practice in 1996 to paint full time and pursue his dream.
Fawcett started out painting mainly in
watercolor but has introduced oils to his repertoire.
"It depends on the subject matter and what medium I feel like
painting with at the time. There is a certain softness and
fluidness with watercolors, while oils provide rich color and
textures and a buttery feeling." Since taking the leap
of faith to become an artist, he has been invited to participate
in some of the most prestigious Western art shows in the country and has
developed relationships with the top galleries.
Expressing gratitude for those who have helped
his career along the way, including western artist, Jim Bama and
Ron Riddick, John also gives several painting workshops a year to
help others. He has been featured in Art of the West,
Southwest Art, Western Horseman, Cowboys and Indians, The Equine
Image, Informart, and US Art magazines. He and his wife
Elizabeth, their three Labrador Retrievers, and four Quarter
Horses divide their time between a farm in southern Pennsylvania
and a ranch in northern Colorado.
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If you would like to contact John, please e-mail
him by clicking here.
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John
with wife Elizabeth at the Friends of Western Art Awards Dinner
where John was awarded the "Artist of the Year" Award, October 2008,
Tucson, AZ. |