John Jaster

The Suburbs, Original Painting

2023

Artist Comments
A flat, snowy field surrounds a bright red schoolhouse and a barn. The pale winter sun casts soft shadows across the land while patches of dead grass emerge f...

Artist Comments
Four tiny cabins nestle among autumn foliage, with rolling mountains and fluffy clouds providing a serene backdrop. A rutted dirt road leads from their entryways and winds alongside a tall birch tree in the foreground. The vibrant colors exude an enchanting, cheerful, and whimsical charm.

About the Artist
Artist John Jaster paints in a style he describes as realistic impressions, capturing colorful views of his adventures across the Americas. "People always ask me how I get such deep brilliant colors," says John. "The answer is layers. Since acrylic paint dries mostly transparent, it requires multiple layers of paint to build up to a specific color. With the right lighting that depth of layering is like sunshine glistening through clear water." In college, John felt a pull towards computer science and pursued a career in software architecture. Although the two paths...

Artist Comments
A group of narrow, colorful houses stand side by side on a hill. The distant mountains bask under a cloudy summer sky. Tall birch trees with autumn leaves rustle with joy, adding to the vibrancy. The bright colors exude a playful energy.

About the Artist
Artist John Jaster paints in a style he describes as realistic impressions, capturing colorful views of his adventures across the Americas. "People always ask me how I get such deep brilliant colors," says John. "The answer is layers. Since acrylic paint dries mostly transparent, it requires multiple layers of paint to build up to a specific color. With the right lighting that depth of layering is like sunshine glistening through clear water." In college, John felt a pull towards computer science and pursued a career in software architecture. Although the two paths...

Artist Comments
People bustle past each other, filling the sidewalks of 42nd Street in New York City. On this sunny winter afternoon, storefronts dazzle with colorful advertisements, while theater marquee lights reflect off restaurant windows. The sounds of traffic mix with the lively beat of Spanish rock music from boom boxes, infusing the air with the vibrant pulse of urban life.

About the Artist
Artist Leroy Burt paints playful, offbeat landscapes and portraits based on his experiences living in Milwaukee, New York, Costa Rica, and currently Rochester, Minnesota. "I think of my paintings as short stories," he says. As a young child, Leroy faced a number of obstacles. His parents divorced when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandparents in a three-room shack without running water or electricity. Leroy worked hard to pull himself out of poverty. He studied graphic design and painting, which led to a 30-year career in graphic design - five years at WMVS, the PBS television station in Milwaukee, fifteen years at city hall in Milwaukee, and ten years at WNET, the PBS station in New York. In 2015, Leroy retired to focus his energy on painting. Today, he works from a tiny studio filled with half-finished paintings stacked against every wall. "There are photos and sketches for future paintings taped everywhere," says Leroy. "My windows are filled with orchids. There are books, films and music CDs in every corner. And the room is dominated by a black and silver Andy Warhol silkscreen...