Artists on Central

John Sosh started painting in 1997. Following the death of his first wife Mary of 24 years, John was looking for an outlet to help with the transition and adjustment of starting a new life. Quite by accident, he found an old art set that his wife had given to him several years earlier. John has followed his passion for art and continues to experiment with different methods and materials.

After attending Pensacola Jr. Collage in Florida, John had a unique blend of work experiences - rock & roll disk jockey, studio supervisor for a public broadcasting TV station and for 14 years, John was the manager of the Skyport Inn, a small hotel located inside the Memphis International Airport terminal, which closed in June of 2004. John has painted full time ever since.

John is a member of Artist Link and has participated in several shows in the Mid South area. John currently has work on display at Artists On Central Art Gallery in Memphis and in private collections in Tennessee, Illinois, Mississippi and Florida

Personal Statement

When I first started painting, I had just experienced a life changing event. The death of my first wife of 24 years. I soon realized that the act of painting was not only a way for me to adjust to a new life, but it also became a means for me to express myself on how I react to my surroundings. After several years of painting traditional landscapes in watercolor, I felt the need to express myself on a more personal level.
My work today is an exercise in exploring my relationship with others and nature.
The inspiration for my work comes from my continual observations of how we interact with one another. Life is a complex affair. Trying to maintain a working relationship with society and a peaceful, harmonious existence with nature can be a never ending struggle. As in life, my work is composed of many layers that are added then taken away. This interaction of colors and textures is in many ways a reflection of how I view my existence in a constantly changing world.