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John became a full time artist in 1992 when redundancy loomed as the Government began to wind up the Scottish new towns. John worked in Livingston Development Corporation in Landscape and Forestry following a career in horticulture which had taken him all over the UK. John's interest in art was established in early childhood. He is self taught but constantly experiments, and studies the work of other contemporary artists. His subjects have covered town to country, floral to figurative, snow scenes, summer landscapes, boats, Scottish castles and pets. John now tends to paint a reduced range of topics from figure studies to snow scenes, although commission work again extends the range as does work for limited edition prints. John runs art classes and workshops from his Dundee studio and has been publishing limited edition prints throughout his art career, as well as luxury Christmas cards for business and corporate use. John gives many demonstrations of painting to Art Societies throughout Scotland. A recent development has been the establishment of his ever expanding website www.johnstoa.com. This shows his paintings and prints, gives information on art classes and workshops, his latest exhibitions, several pages for his art class students paintings, and now John has put links to numerous pictures of his garden and allotment where many of his workshop students find inspiration for a painting. John's paintings can be seen at his exhibitions in his studio as well as other galleries in Dundee, Braemar, Callander, and Crief. Art Collections and Art Commissions: 2009 Several images to be published in art books by Quarto
2009 Edinburgh Castle for client in England
2008 Cata Sands in Orkney for resident
2008 Amelia portrait for child’s christening
2008 Alyth village retirement gift for London Bank Manager
2007 Downfield Golf Course
2007 St Columba’s Hospice, Edinburgh Charity Calendar
2007 Quarto Acrylic paintings of flowers book, several images published
2006 International Artist Images published in three new art books
2005 Chest Heart and Stroke Charity Christmas Card
2005 World Wildlife Fund Charity Christmas Card
2004 Edinburgh City Council Christmas Card
2004 Commission from USA Edinburgh Castle at Hogmany wedding gift
2002 Scottish Parliament - purchase of large oil painting, 32,000 Christmas cards and 100 prints.
2002 St Columbus Hospice - 30,000 charity Christmas cards.
2002 Sophies Steakhouse and Bar - Fulham Road London.
2000 Woods of Perth - Factory commission and artwork for business stationery. | 
