Although growing up in Southern California against the backdrop of the surfing culture, John was more interested in art, history and mythology. His favorite times were spent with charcoal, paint and a good western movie. Being elected into the iconic Cowboy Artists of America was a dream come true. Something he feels highly honored to have achieved and a privilege that constantly feeds his growth as an artist.

John puts a pulse in his sculptural metaphors through his extensive research of their traditions, religion and way of life. He has found that the native cultures he portrays reflect many of the values that are most important in his own life.

His catalog piece depicts a Mandan archer engaged in “The Game of Arrows,” an event witnessed by George Catlin about 1833. He reported that the most distinguished archers gathered on the prairie, each one having paid an entrance fee such as a shield, robe, or pipe. In turn, they shot their arrows into the air to see who could get the greatest number flying at one time, the winner taking the entrance fees as their prize. It was written that the winner of this particular gathering achieved eight arrows in flight before the first one struck the ground.

In June of this year, John celebrated his fifth year as a Prix de West artist at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and his win of the “James Earle Fraser Sculpture Award” and the “Nona Jean Hulsey Buyers’ Choice Award” at that prestigious event.

Next April, the Gilcrease Museum will feature a retrospect of John’s work along with his participation in the famous Rendezvous 2010 exhibit. April will also find John back at the Scottsdale Artists School teaching a workshop along with five other CAA members to launch the Joe Beeler CA Foundation—a mentoring program. This inaugural event will be called Cowboy Artists of America Week at the Scottsdale Artists School.

John is a Fellow member of the National Sculpture Society. He and his wife Sue make their home in Prescott, Arizona.