Baltimore born and life-long Maryland resident John O’Neill is a professional artist whose art explores the local scenery so abundant in “America in Miniature”. "Stay The Course", John’s rendering of boats under sail on the Severn was selected as the 2009 Hospice Cup Regatta’s signature art piece.
A graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art, John’s early education included St. Edward’s and Loyola, Blakefield. Throughout those early years, John loved to sketch. Neither he--nor his parents--recognized that this hobby would become his life’s work. While searching for employment after high school, he was led to jobs that could draw on his artistic abilities and soon found work as a layout artist for the Baltimore Sun. In his mid-20s, he enrolled at MICA taking on a full time class load while working evenings in a coffee plant to support his young family. John never wavered in his decision to attend MICA. He loved it.
On receipt of his BFA degree he became an art teacher until the early
‘80s when he left teaching to start a graphic arts business. He sold his
business and returned to teaching in 1988. For 20 years thereafter, he
taught art at Anne Arundel County’s Meade High School. Despite the full
time demands of teaching, John built an impressive art portfolio of
portraits, Maryland landscapes, and boating scenes. Several trips to
Ireland rounded out the portfolio with representations of Ireland’s
quaint beauty.
Retired now, John continues to pursue his art producing one lovely piece
after another. A 2010 art show resulted in a sell-out! An early riser
(he’s an ardent golfer), his art beautifully reflects the quiet nuances
of each day’s sunrise and the glory of its greeting. Annapolis in Spring
is just one popular example. Peruse these pages to view other.
