Dr. John McCuin, an artist from Oklahoma City, who now resides in Dallas, Texas, works in oils to create realistic still life, figurative, and portrait paintings. Inspired by 19th century academic painters, contemporary representational painters, and abstract painters of the past century, John strives to combine the compositional impact of strong nonobjective work with technical virtuosity. Influenced by his training as a physicist, Dr. McCuin paints trompe l’oeil pieces that entertain the mind’s eye as it seeks to unravel the illusion created by methodical mastery.
As seen in his work displayed at Lovett’s Gallery, Dallas Baptist University, and private collections, John strives to create art that engages the viewer through captivating content, expressive handling, beautiful composition, and technical rigor. He explores ideas through a visual narrative that uses objects as symbols, while striving to maintain beauty in design.
In addition to exhibitions at Lovett’s Gallery, the Fort Worth Cultural Arts Center, and Dallas Baptist University, John has exhibited in a number of juried exhibitions in Dallas, such as the Texas and Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition, where “Transience I” won the IAC Award of Excellence (the second highest award in the show). Additionally, “Trump L’oeil” and “Transience I” were selected as finalists in the Art Renewal Center’s International Salon, one of the world’s most prestigious realist art competitions. Dr. McCuin is a professor who teaches art at Dallas Baptist University.
In spite of life's busiest moments, art has always called me. Primarily, I love art because I love beauty. Even when composing work meant to communicate specific content or emote a given feeling, beauty is the one constant. Regarding the technical side of constructing art, there is a dynamic tension between my analytical perfectionism and my desire for expressive release. I love creating and will never stop.